Almond-Macaroon Torte With Chocolate Frosting And Orange Compote

Serves: 6

Ally Shanahan

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

43

Spice

47

Sweetness

53

Sourness

41

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.2

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Water

2.5 cups

Slivered Almonds

6 large

Egg White

Directions:

1

For orange syrup: Combine sugar, 1 cup water, and orange peel strips in medium saucepan

2

Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and syrup comes to boil

3

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 1 minute

4

DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead

5

Cover and chill syrup with peel strips

6

Combine sugar, 1 cup water, and orange peel strips in medium saucepan

7

Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and syrup comes to boil

8

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 1 minute

9

DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead

10

Cover and chill syrup with peel strips

11

For almond macaroons: Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F

12

Draw two 12 x 4-inch rectangles, spacing 2 inches apart, on each of 2 sheets of parchment paper (4 rectangles total)

13

Turn over each parchment sheet onto large rimmed baking sheet (rectangles will show through)

14

Spray parchment with nonstick spray

15

Place slivered almonds, 1 cup sugar, and coarse salt in processor

16

Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean halves

17

Blend until nuts are finely ground

18

Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form

19

Add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff but not dry

20

Fold nut mixture into egg whites

21

Spread 1/4 of macaroon batter evenly within each rectangle, filling completely

22

Bake macaroon layers until golden and almost firm to touch in center, reversing sheets after 20 minutes, 35 to 40 minutes total

23

Cool on sheets

24

Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F

25

Draw two 12 x 4-inch rectangles, spacing 2 inches apart, on each of 2 sheets of parchment paper (4 rectangles total)

26

Turn over each parchment sheet onto large rimmed baking sheet (rectangles will show through)

27

Spray parchment with nonstick spray

28

Place slivered almonds, 1 cup sugar, and coarse salt in processor

29

Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean halves

30

Blend until nuts are finely ground

31

Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form

32

Add remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff but not dry

33

Fold nut mixture into egg whites

34

Spread 1/4 of macaroon batter evenly within each rectangle, filling completely

35

Bake macaroon layers until golden and almost firm to touch in center, reversing sheets after 20 minutes, 35 to 40 minutes total

36

Cool on sheets

37

For frosting and compote: Place 10 tablespoons orange syrup in large saucepan and bring to simmer over medium-low heat (reserve remaining syrup)

38

Add chocolate to saucepan and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth

39

Remove from heat

40

Cool until frosting begins to thicken, stirring often, 20 to 30 minutes

41

Place 1 macaroon layer on long platter

42

Spread 1/2 cup frosting evenly over

43

Top with another macaroon layer

44

Spread 1/2 cup frosting evenly over

45

Repeat 1 more time

46

Top with last macaroon layer, flat side up

47

Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of torte

48

Press sliced almonds onto sides of torte

49

DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead

50

Cover with foil tent; store at room temperature

51

Cover remaining syrup; chill

52

Thinly slice whole oranges crosswise into rounds

53

Cut slices into quarters and place in remaining reserved syrup for compote

54

Slice torte; place on plates

55

Spoon orange compote alongside

56

Place 10 tablespoons orange syrup in large saucepan and bring to simmer over medium-low heat (reserve remaining syrup)

57

Add chocolate to saucepan and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth

58

Remove from heat

59

Cool until frosting begins to thicken, stirring often, 20 to 30 minutes

60

Place 1 macaroon layer on long platter

61

Spread 1/2 cup frosting evenly over

62

Top with another macaroon layer

63

Spread 1/2 cup frosting evenly over

64

Repeat 1 more time

65

Top with last macaroon layer, flat side up

66

Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of torte

67

Press sliced almonds onto sides of torte

68

DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead

69

Cover with foil tent; store at room temperature

70

Cover remaining syrup; chill

71

Thinly slice whole oranges crosswise into rounds

72

Cut slices into quarters and place in remaining reserved syrup for compote

73

Slice torte; place on plates

74

Spoon orange compote alongside