Linzer Torte
- Prep
- 1 hr
- Bake
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 hr 45 min
- Makes
- 12 slices
Ingredients
- 2 sticks plus 2 tbsp250 gunsalted butterGerman butter is unsalted and has about 82 percent fat. In the US use unsalted butter (European-style unsalted butter is closest); in the UK, unsalted butter.
- 1 ¼ cups250 ggranulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups125 gground walnuts
- 1 ¼ cups125 gground almondsFinely ground blanched almonds. In the US use blanched almond flour (almond meal with skins gives a darker, coarser crumb); in the UK, ground almonds.
- 1 tspground cinnamon
- 1 pinchground cloves
- 1 pinchgrated lemon zest
- 1 pinchsalt
- 1large egg
- 2 cups250 gall-purpose flourIn German recipes plain flour means soft wheat flour Type 405 unless stated otherwise. In the US use all-purpose flour; in the UK, plain flour.
- 1 tspbaking powderGerman baking powder is sold in 15 g packets, each meant for about 500 g (4 cups) of flour. In the US and the UK use baking powder, 1 tbsp plus ¾ tsp per 15 g packet.
- 1egg yolk, beaten
- 12 ½ oz350 graspberry jam, seedless or with seeds as you preferIn everyday German any jam, not only citrus marmalade. In the US use jam or preserves; in the UK, jam.
Method
- Beat the butter, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, lemon zest, salt and the whole egg together until light and fluffy.
- Then stir in the ground walnuts and ground almonds.
- Finally, briefly knead in the flour together with the baking powder.
- Press the dough flat.
- Now it needs to chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- After chilling, roll it out on a well-floured surface to about ⅜ inch (1 cm) thick and cut out a circle of about 11 ½ to 12 inches (29 to 30 cm).
- Grease and flour the bottom of an 11-inch (28 cm) springform pan.
- Lay the dough circle in the springform pan and trim the edge so it stands about ⅜ inch (1 cm) high.
- Prick the dough several times with a fork.
- Then spread the jam over it.
- Use cookie cutters to cut shapes from the remaining dough and arrange them on top of the jam.
- Press the edge lightly with a fork to make a pattern.
- Finally, brush all the dough surfaces with the beaten egg yolk.
- Bake the torte at 350°F (180°C) convection (fan) for about 45 to 50 minutes.
- After baking, store the Linzer torte in a cake container in a cool place for at least 1 week so the flavors can develop and it can mellow.
From German Pastry Chef. Full recipe with photos: germanpastrychef.com/recipes/linzer-torte/