Chocolate
wafer crust:
1 1/4 cups chocolate wafer cookie crumbs (about 24 wafers)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Torte:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsweetened alkalized cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
2 cups pecan halves
Apricot
glaze:
1/2 cup apricot preserves
2 teaspoons dark rum
Chocolate
glaze:
3/4 cup heavy (whipping) cream
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 teaspoons dark rum
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 pints coffee or vanilla ice cream
Make the chocolate wafer crust:
Position a
rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Remove the side
from a 9-inch springform cake pan. Trim a 9-inch
cardboard cake circle so
that it fits within the curved lip of the bottom of the springform pan.
Cover the cardboard and the bottom of the pan with a piece
of aluminum foil,
leaving a 2-inch overhang all around the edge. Carefully attach the side of
the pan so that you do not tear the foil. Strap the foil
halfway up the side
of the pan. Lightly butter the side of the pan. (Lining the bottom of the
pan this way will give the torte an even flat base, making it
easy to remove
from the pan.)
In a medium
bowl, stir together the cookie crumbs and melted butter, until
well
combined. Press the mixture evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan.
Refrigerate the crust while preparing the torte.
Make the
torte:
In the top of
a double boiler set over hot, not simmering, water, melt the chocolate with
the butter, stirring frequently until smooth. Remove the top part of the
double boiler from the bottom and transfer the chocolate mixture to a large
bowl. Let the chocolate mixture cool for about 10 minutes, or until tepid.
In a small
bowl, using a wire whisk, stir together the flour, cocoa and baking soda
until thoroughly blended.
Add the sugar
and salt to the tepid chocolate mixture. Using a hand-held electric mixer
set at low speed, beat the mixture for 15 to 20 seconds, until blended.
Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the
corn syrup and the vanilla.
One at a time,
add the eggs, beating for no longer than 5 seconds after each addition.
Using a rubber spatula, stir in the flour mixture. Stir in the finely
chopped pecans.
Scrape the
batter over the prepared crust and spread it evenly with the back
of a
spoon. Arrange the pecan halves in concentric circles over the top of
the
batter.
Bake the torte
for 80 to 90 minutes, until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center
comes out slightly creamy. Do not overbake the torte. Cool the torte
completely in the pan set on a wire rack. Cover the pan tightly with
aluminum foil and let the torte stand at room temperature overnight.
Unmold the
torte:
Run a
thin-bladed knife around the torte to loosen it from the side of the pan.
Remove the side of the springform pan. Slide two metal cake spatulas
underneath the torte and transfer it to a wire rack. Put the wire rack with
the torte over a baking sheet.
Prepare the
apricot glaze:
In a small
saucepan, set over medium heat, heat the apricot preserves with the rum,
stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture comes to a gentle
boil. Immediately press the mixture through a sieve into a small bowl.
Using a pastry
brush, brush the top and the side of the torte with a thin coating of the
hot apricot glaze. Let the apricot coating set for 15 minutes before
covering with the chocolate glaze.
Make the
chocolate glaze:
Put the
chocolate in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan, set over medium heat, heat
the cream and corn syrup, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the
mixture comes to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let the
mixture stand for 30 seconds, to melt the chocolate. Gently whisk until
smooth. Stir in the rum and vanilla.
With a rubber
spatula or soup spoon, generously drizzle some of the chocolate glaze over
the top of the torte. Using a small metal cake spatula, spread some of the
remaining chocolate glaze in a thin layer around the sides of the torte.
Refrigerate the torte for 10 minutes to set the glaze. Reserve the leftover
chocolate glaze in a small bowl, cover and refrigerate.
Store the
torte at room temperature under a cake dome for up to 5 days. The flavor of
the torte will improve with age. To serve, reheat the leftover chocolate
glaze in a double boiler. Place a slice of the torte on a dessert plate.
Drizzle the plate with some of the warm glaze and add a scoop of coffee or
vanilla ice cream. Serve immediately.
