Tuesday 6 January 2009

Sachertorte


So, you might have guessed it, but cake makes me happy. More than chocolate and more than dessert. I' m talking cake, a cake that has texture, that isn't a mushy goo, cake that isn't sickening, cake that is happy-making and light at 4pm at work. I would love to learn now to decorate sugar cookies and create beautiful splendours but, to me, the best kind of cake is the simplest kind. Full of flavour, not too sweet or sickly.
One of my lovely colleagues brought us a Sachertorte from Austria today. It was brilliant: my secretary came in and said 'Michael's brought in cake, so I'm going to open some champagne'. The French lifestyle, I tell you. The cake just made everyone so happy on the first day back from the holidays, it brought us all together. Sachertorte is a Viennese speciality and was first created by the grand and luxurious Hotel Sacher. There have been many imitations and legal battles over use of the world 'original' but the one Michael brought is the real thing from the hotel itself! What a treat! It is a dark but relatively dry chocolate cake with a thin and humble dark chocolate coating and a slither of marmalade in the middle. Not fancy schmancy. Unadorned, but perfect in its simplicity. If you would like to learn a bit about this Sachertorte, click here. I am so grateful to Michael for expanding my culinary education with such a grown-up and refined cake.
I so wish that I could give you all a bite - you would love it! Have any of you tasted Sachertorte? Did you like it? And - do tell me - what is your favourite cake?

5 comments:

Kaitlin said...

I've NEVER had it! I ALWAYS come across it in my recipe books, and it always looks great. I must say, the one in your picture looks like the best i've seen, and I bet it was incredible!

The Adventuresome Road to Where? said...

This looks delicious! Now I really want to try one. My favorite cake is the Italian Cream Cake, the ingredients vary but go something like this:
1 stick margarine, (4 ounces)
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 small can flaked coconut
5 egg whites, stiffly beaten
1/2 cup shortening
5 egg yolks
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans, or walnuts
My favorite bakery that makes these puts a light, fluffy layer of cherry filling in the middle. The cake is not too sweet so the filling gives it a little extra something. Cheers to good cake!

Anonymous said...

Oh I just love your blog title!

Anonymous said...

You have been tagged!

I've been lured into the cake debate. Cheesecake wins hands down for me every time. Not that I'd turn down the fancy chocolate one, you understand...

coolingstar9 said...

Wow, I also like to eat cake. During birthday, I also have the chance to eat birthday cake with unique design.
Happy new year to you.