Chocolate Chestnut Bourbon Torte
By Kim Morgan • Nov 30th, 2008 • Category: Desserts
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A few weeks back I promised the lovely Lorraine of Not Quite Nigella that I would submit a Chocolate Cake for The Ultimate Chocolate Cake Challenge! I had intended on doing this much sooner and only finish in the nick of time as the night ends. Lorraine is always up to lots of fun and good food, so I was excited about submitting a Chocolate Cake except……………here is the kicker. I am one of the few people who could pass up a slice of chocolate cake with out a moments hesitation.
This meant that I would have to include an ingredient in which I could never say no to. This was actually quite easy considering I have been waiting to use my jar of French Chestnuts, that I had bought a month and a half ago. These were bought on an impulse, because I was tired of waiting for chestnuts to make their way into the stores on a chilly fall day. I have fond memories of chestnuts and will talk more about them in a few days when I share my Chestnut Macarons with you. For now, I will share my unscholarly view on Advent.
Today is the first day of Advent which for Christian’s is the beginning of the Church year. It is a time of joyful waiting. I don’t seem to be any better at waiting for God, though God seems to have improved on waiting for me. Though I try to wait and savor the time, because the truth is- waiting is just good for the soul. The thing that makes waiting during Advent seem so precious is that the waiting is filled with a spirit of expectation, anticipation, preparation and longing. It is a time that my spirits are lifted for many reasons.
Each Advent season brings a new hope and a season of moving Christmas music which often brings me to tears just listening to it. I just came across a book titled, Bumping into God in the Kitchen, by Dominic Grassi. I have yet to put my hands on the book,yet the title gave me hope that I am on the right path and that God is guiding me in the kitchen. It is quite clear I don’t know where I am going, but I am enjoying the journey and the company is just what I need.
I have always wanted to make a chestnut cake and this recipe combined chocolate with pecans and bourbon which makes this a Southern Cake in my book. There are not enough chestnut lovers in the house so I cut the recipe in half and baked it in 4 inch pans. I also made chestnuts in a sugar syrup with bourbon vanilla to top the cake.
Included in the recipe is some espresso powder, so it had a good kick to it, that cut some of the sweetness. It is a moist cake, light yet rich at the same time. A chestnut filling is layered on top of each layer, and the entire cake is coated in a chocolate ganache.
I took my pictures of the cake and then thought, what now? There is no one here to eat it. God bless chocolate ganache and a moist cake, because I tucked the slices back into the cake, covered up my cutting with some more chocolate ganache and froze it. This cake will have to wait for Christmas to be enjoyed.
It pains me to be a bit of a slacker tonight, but I am tired. Besides making this cake today, I made a ton of macarons in a desperate attempt to keep my macaron mojo. For some reason, as soon as I add some powdered color to the macaron batter, I start sweating and hold my breath which does not aid in the creation of beautiful macarons. Oh, I got the treasured feet which was good, but my shapes were less than round. So, for tonight no recipe but rest assured that I will add it in the next day or so, I promise. Besides, if I am going to have to continue to wait, then it is only right that you also wait.
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Kim Morgan is the aspiring writer, photographer & passionate cook of ayankeeinasouthernkitchen.com; she is currently cooking Southern food, one stick of butter at a time.
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Kim, that looks incredible! What a standout entry
I love the combination of chocolate and chestnuts 
Oh Kim, you have absolutely outdone yourself! This speaks to me, and your view on Advent as well. Music this time of year brings an out of no where tear to my eye. For some reason this particular post brought back some really sweet memories. Thank you for that…
That festive cake looks beautiful! I really love the decoration!
Cheers,
Rosa
I’m floored at the sight of such rich and luxurious results! WOW! I guess it can’t get more christmasy than that! BRAVO!
Whoa…this torte looks amazing…great effort with jaw-dropping result.
Chestnuts are something that I don’t run across very often, so this sounds wonderful! Gorgeous!
Looks sinful.
It’s beautiful Kim and it looks so MOIST! I love the way the ganache shines.
That cake is beautiful! I love almost all chocolate cakes but adding chestnuts is a festive touch. I too have fond memories of chestnuts and find them intriguing. I can’t wait to hear about your latest macarons.
Also, thanks for the advent reminder! The journey begins. I need to get my candles settled in place…
I would have no will power to put this in the freezer. You are amazing.
This is so beautiful!
Oh what a treat, I can’t even believe how beautiful this is!
“God bless chocolate ganache and a moist cake [AMEN and AMEN], because I tucked the slices back into the cake, covered up my cutting with some more chocolate ganache and froze it.”
that’s absolutely hilarious. you’re a sneaky one, aren’t ya?
I am speechless! this cake is so beautiful, and looks so delicious. I can’t stop my mouth watering!
That icing looks so lush and rich! I’m dying over here!
Wow! That looks incredible!
“Mimi made that?”
Then a few seconds pass as Levi leans onto my lap to climb on, “Mimi made that for ME?” he says excitedly.
THIS is what I have to go through. The arduous task of telling him no. From now on, I am not looking at your website if he is with me. Because now I have to explain to him why it isn’t for him and why Mimi makes such yummy looking food that he can’t have.
Thanks, a lot….
Lovingly,
Your frustrated daughter
Kim, your cake is a masterpiece! And the macaroon looks absolutely perfectly shaped to me!
P.S. Thank you so much for your wonderful kind comments you leave on my blog. I’m very touched and grateful!
That cake! It looks so moist. Each layer looks dense and delicious which I feel so many layer cakes lack. I love that you baked it in 4-inch pans. And your finishing touches, garnishes and platting are just stunning. That should be on the cover of a magazine!
kim, oh my goodness
this cake is obscene
you are the master of cakes
as far as i’m concerned
absolute perfection
i LOVE chestnuts
have you ever baked with chestnut flour
what kind of powdered color gets added to macarons?
hmmm…
Dear, next time you cut a piece of cake and think about sticking it back where it came from…..CALL ME
I am up way beyond anybody’s (in their right mind) bedtime so a skip and a hop and I’m there. Especially when we are talking about chestnut and chocolate. Now, you never said what happened to that lovely petit macarons…wink!!
[...] Kim from A Yankee in a Southern Kitchen made a stunning Chocolate Chestnut Bourbon Torte. Yes you knew it was going to be a goodie when you saw the picture with the glossy swirly icing, macaron and chesnuts on top didn’t you? And Kim never disappoints! [...]
OMG! If that isn’t gorgeous….tall, decadent and deluxe!
Hi Kim
) Have you posted this recipe yet..? This chestnut torte would be divine for Christmas! I’ve searched the site and can’t find it… so sad.
This looks wonderful! I’m fascinated by the combination of chocolate and chestnut.