This week’s recipe is available online from our gracious host, April of Short + Rose. If you own the book, Baking From My Home to Yours, you can turn to pages 284 and 285 to get the recipe instructions.
This dreamy torte originally called for dried sour cherries, Kirsch, and cherry jam. I had none of the above, so I substituted the following:
dried strawberries, I used a scant cup instead of a full cup as I was concerned about the sweetness compared to sour cherries
grenadine, no alcohol in this as it’s a simple syrup made from pomegranates, so no flambe for me.
red raspberry preserves, this was the closest I had to cherry jam.
I also chose to mix semi sweet and bitter sweet chocolate, though the recipe indicates you can use either one. I had 3 ounces of bittersweet and 8 ounces of semi sweet squares, so this torte became a pantry torte allowing me to use up several ingredients I already had on hand. Always a frugal bonus!
The results were nothing short of fabulous. The brownies had a subtle strawberry flavor while the mousse topping was to die for! It does take some time, so this would make a fabulous holiday dessert. Another winner from Dorie!
Amanda that looks fabulous! I made a tiny one, so it's nice to see the full-size version. I didn't know that grenadine was made from pomegranates. Interesting!
wow you can really bake
Your torte looks amazing Amanda – and I like the dried strawberry idea. Yum!
Gorgeous! I love your substitution of strawberries!
I love your creativity with this recipe! It looks great! :)
Gorgeous. Really love what you did with this.
Amanda, your torte looks fabulous! I didn't make this. With a chocolate hating hubby and myself not really doing desserts at all lately I just couldn't justify the expense. Doesn't stop me from drooling over yours though!! Wonderful!
I agree it was fantastic !!
Nice job with the cocoa powder. Your first pic is fabulous.
Oh my goodness! This torta is a show-stopper! I;m impressed with the dried fruit, jams and grenadine you added. Fabulous!
Yours looks beautiful. A bonus, indeed.
I want to make one of the versions of this, I am viewing. I can't rush this one though so it means I have to plan. Thanks for your version. It is a beauty.
That really looks good. Looks like the brownie was nice and fudgy! You rocked this one!
I made half a recipe and made individual brownies in ramekins with my own non-fruity twist!
Thank you for baking with me this week! I'm so glad you liked it, it looks fabulous!
What a good challenge to make this torte without a trip to the store. Gorgeous results!
So that's what it's supposed to look like! Fabulous – and yes, quite a bit of work. But the end result does pay off, so next time I might splurge and make the mousse after all.
wow complimenti per questa splendida torta!!! deliziosa! ciao!
Wow–your torte looks fabulous! Love that you used dried strawberries and raspb preserves! I skipped the fruit on this one, but would enjoy those! Definitely worth making again!
Your torte looks professional! Like it could be sold in a bakery! Love your combo of strawberries and raspberry preserves. I bet it tasted incredible!!
A beautiful torte, Amanda. It is so elegant. Yes, wasn't it the most divine dessert!
It is so fabulous looking…I love your new version, it looks so moist and yummy.
strawberries sound like a delicious substitution!! Honestly, I think any dried fruit would be wonderful because let's face it the cake itself was sooo good!! Your cake looks lovely!
Strawberries sound like a yummy substitution.
Beautiful torte, Amanda! I'm glad to hear the substitutions worked so well. I am really bad about not using up what I have and buying too many extraneous ingredients.
Amanda, the torte looks stunning and I bet the mix of chocolates with those dried strawberries was great.
Oh my! Yours looks amazing~ I cut mine in half so it not as impressive as the larger size! Great idea for using up what you had–I did the same with my chocolate too ;) Glad you liked it too!
This cake looks absolutely gorgeous! I would love to be eating that right now :)
the color contrasts are really gorgeous.
Good job on the adaptions! I've enjoyed everyone's photos of this one. Just wish someone would share a slice!
~ingrid
mmm this looks just gorgeous! liking the colours.
Wow, sounds like using your pantry ingredients turned out wonderful for you! The brownie torte looks beautiful! =)