Walnut Torta with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting

The following post was written by Tanya Reda, my goddaughter, in memory of her mother, Connie.  Connie was my best friend since we both were 11 years old.  We shared so many experiences while growing up, including our passion for baking and cooking.  The Walnut Torta with Chocolate Whipping Cream Frosting was her signature cake. To honour her memory of her 16th year of passing, I am republishing a post that Tanya wrote sharing the history and recipe of her mother’s signature cake. Connie passed away at the age of 48 from breast cancer.

Walnut Torta with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting

Growing up, the walnut torta as we call it, was THE cake that was made for all family functions. To this day it remains a family favourite and the only cake my uncles ever talk about.  I can still remember watching my grandfather sitting at the kitchen table, grinding the walnuts with a hand grinder for my grandmother.  I also remember that this cake was devoured within 5 minutes of it being served.  It was so delicious that there was never any left at the end of the night.

I come from a family of bakers who are also food lovers. My mother got her love of cooking and baking from her mother, which then blossomed even more with her friend my Godmother, as they would exchange recipes, bake and cook together.  They shared many common interests, and food was one of them.

My mother always had to try everything. I can still remember in grade school, unwrapping my sandwich at lunch to find a bite taken from it. My mother would always taste our food before she sent us off with it; she even did this when we were home.  Our food had to pass her taste and quality assurance test.

As I grew older, my Godmother shared with me many stories of my mother and her involving baking and food.  From these stories and our bonding, my love of cooking and baking came to be. Now, her and I share recipes, bake together and talk about food as she once did with my mother.

Walnut Torta History

This recipe has been in the family for four generations, if not more. My grandmother got it from her aunt, she passed it down to my mother, and I have recently acquired this recipe. So, after over 10 years of not having eaten the walnut torta, I finally asked my grandmother for the recipes, as I was unable to find it amongst my mother’s recipes. She gave it to me in the typical non-written down way as one would get from their grandmother, a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Walnut Torta – a Tribute to my Mother

The walnut torta was well liked amongst my mother’s friends as she would make it for birthdays and get-togethers. So when I told them the news that I  have the recipe, they were all anxiously waiting for me to make it. I decided to make it for friends and family for a brunch in honour of my mother’s 10th anniversary of her passing.

A tribute, and my way of thanking her for sharing her passion.

How to make the Walnut Torta with the Chocolate Whipped Cream   

The torta is very simple to make.  After a first successful attempt, I can attest that is is a no-fuss little mess recipe.

Walnut Torta Ingredients

Walnuts

The walnuts should be ground with a  Manual Nut Grinder (a hand cheese grater can be used) and not with an electric nut grinder or food processor. This ensures that the walnuts do not turn into nut butter.

Make sure the Walnut Torta ingredients are at room temperature.  It’s easier to separate the eggs when they are cold.

Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting Ingredients

Whipping cream should be very cold.  Use Dutch Processed Brown Cocoa Powder if available. Place the mixing bowl and whip attachment of the electric mixer in the freezer until it’s time to make the frosting.

Folding whipped egg whites into walnut mixture

With a sisilicone spatula,licone spatula, fold whipped egg whites into walnut mixture until all the egg whites are incorporated.

How to bake Walnut Torta

Divide equally among 3  8-Inch Cake Pans .  Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the torta layers comes out clean.  Let the torta layers cool for at least 20-25 minutes before frosting with the Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting.

How to frost the Walnut Torta

Once the torta layers are cooled remove the first layer from the baking pan and place on a  10-inch cake board, spread the frosting on the first layer with an offset spatula , and repeat with the other two layers.

Once the last torta layer is placed on the torta, spread the icing on top and on the sides of the walnut torta with an offset spatula.

Decorate using the pipping tip of your choice and refrigerate for an hour to let the frosting set.

Once refrigerated, cut into slices with a serrated knife and serve. Pairs well with a glass of cold milk.

Walnut Torta with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting Recipe

Below is the recipe for my mother’s Walnut Torta with Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting.  I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does and maybe it will be the recipe that you will pass down to your family.  Enjoy!

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Acknowledgement

The recipe for Walnut Torta with Chocolate Whipping Cream Frosting was used with permission by Tanya Reda.

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