a white plate with a slice of Chocolate Torte with Brandy Ice Cream

Chocolate Torte with Brandy Ice Cream

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Feast your eyes on this mouthwatering Chocolate Torte created by Chef Ana de Anda! You might be surprised to learn that California Prunes are the star of this elegant, delicious dessert. Since prunes pair so well with chocolate and caramel notes, they are the perfect choice to enhance the flavor and texture of this dish.

a plate filled with a chocolate torte created by Chef Ana Paola de Anda of Chef’s Roll

What is a chocolate torte?

A torte is a rich, dense chocolate cake. They are often flourless, and usually contain more eggs than a traditional cake. This results is a very intensely flavored, almost molten dessert.

What’s the difference between a torte and a tart?

Tarts typically have a crust or shell, while tortes do not.

About this chocolate torte

Chef Ana de Anda baked a fantastic chocolate torte, but she didn’t stop there. She topped it with brandy-soaked prunes and a strawberry prune gel. Then, she served it with brandy-flavored ice cream nestled into a chocolate coffee “soil”.

Worth the effort

This isn’t a quick and easy dish (if that’s what you’re looking for, try our Chocolate Mug Cake). It’s the type of dish that you’d find in an upscale restaurant. If you’ve got time to dedicate to creating this chocolate masterpiece, it’s impressive, delicious and well worth the effort!

a close up of a chocolate torte and a scoop of brandy ice cream

Why are prunes an amazing addition to this dish?

Chef Ana de Anda used prunes in both the Chocolate Torte, the brandy-soaked prunes and the brandy ice cream. Prunes and chocolate are a match made in heaven. They intensify the chocolate flavors without overwhelming them. The rich caramel notes that California Prunes are known for work beautifully with the brandy-soaked prunes and ice cream – resulting in a indulgent, unforgettable dessert.

a white plate with a slice of Chocolate Torte with Brandy Ice Cream

Chocolate Torte with Brandy Ice Cream

Chef Ana de Anda
Feast your eyes on this mouthwatering Chocolate Torte created by Chef Ana de Anda! You might be surprised to learn that California Prunes are the star of this elegant, delicious dessert. Since prunes pair so well with chocolate and caramel notes, they are the perfect choice to enhance the flavor and texture of this dish. This recipe is part of the Chef’s Roll Test Kitchen Series.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Chef Created, Holiday
Servings 12
Calories 724 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For the Chocolate Torte

  • 8 TBSP unsalted butter
  • 170 g bittersweet chocolate
  • 6 large eggs separated, room temperature
  • 120 ml prune purée
  • 200 g sugar divided
  • 3 TBSP instant-espresso powder
  • 1/4 tsp coarse salt
  • 1 TBSP vanilla bean paste

For the Coffee Soil

  • 80 g sugar
  • 200 g almond flour
  • 120 g All-Purpose flour
  • 48 g cocoa powder
  • 40 g coffee grounds
  • 2 1/2 tsp salt
  • 160 g butter

For the Prune Gel

  • 150 g strawberry puree
  • 2 g agar agar
  • 25 g sugar

For the Brandy Prunes

  • 170 g pitted prunes
  • 140 ml plus 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 50 g sugar
  • Pinch ground cinnamon

For the Brandy Ice Cream

  • 75 g Egg Yolks
  • 125 g Sugar
  • 120 ml Whole Milk
  • 240 ml Heavy Cream
  • 110 g Prunes

Instructions
 

For the Chocolate Torte

  • Melt butter and chocolate, stirring until smooth, in a water bath.
  • Beat together egg yolks and 1/2 cup (100g) sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until thick and pale.
  • Add espresso powder and salt, mix.
  • Add vanilla and melted chocolate mixture, mix.
  • Add prune puree, mix until combined.
  • In another bowl, beat egg whites and the remaining 1/2 cup (100g) of sugar to stiff peaks.
  • Fold into chocolate mixture.
  • Transfer batter to pan and bake at 350 F (180C) until set, 40 to 45 minutes.
  • Let cake cool.

For the Coffee Soil

  • Mix all dry ingredients.
  • Melt butter and mix with dry ingredients.
  • Bake at 350F (180C) for 15 minutes.

For the Prune Gel

  • Bring all ingredients to a boil, let set, and once cooled, blend.

For the Brandy Prunes

  • Bring prunes, 1 cup (240 ml) Brandy, and the sugar to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until liquid is syrupy and prunes are softened for about 20 minutes.
  • Transfer prunes in syrup to a heatproof bowl and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of Brandy and the cinnamon.
  • Let cool.

For the Brandy Ice Cream

  • Separate egg yolks in a bowl and set them aside.
  • Bring milk, cream, and sugar just to the beginning of a boil.
  • Slowly pour milk and cream mixture over yolks while whisking constantly.
  • Strain and set in the fridge overnight.
  • The next day, pour half of the ice cream mix into a blender with the prunes and blend.
  • Pour into the ice cream maker and churn until ready.

Assembly

  • Sprinkle the coffee soil over the chocolate torte and a scoop of brandy ice cream, top with brandied prunes and a drizzle of prune gel.

Video

Notes

Want more from Chef Ana? Check out this Spice Cake with Mexican Chocolate Mousse!

Nutrition

Calories: 724kcalCarbohydrates: 86gProtein: 12gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 203mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 482mgFiber: 7gSugar: 62gVitamin A: 1108IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 114mgIron: 3mg
Keyword chef ana de anda, chocolate, mousse, torte
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Love this Chocolate Torte? Try these desserts from Chef Ana de Anda!

Chef Ana de Anda loves California Prunes, and includes them in many of her favorite dessert recipes. If you loved this Chocolate Torte, try these recipes next!

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Wow your guests with Chef Ana de Anda‘s homemade Spice Cake topped with Mexican chocolate mousse, prune mousse, and dark chocolate.

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Prune-Filled Jelly Donuts

Homemade donuts are always a treat, but Chef Ana de Anda‘s Jelly Donuts with California Prunes, vanilla glaze, and honey walnut crumble, are a dream come true.

Did you try this recipe? Maybe you’ve got a favorite recipe using California Prunes that you’d like to share with us? Snap a pic and share it on social using #caprunes.

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