Apricot & Cocoa Linzer Torte – Linzertorte au cocoa & aux abricots

After looking at all those yummilicious Linzer Torte at  Free & Easy Bake Along  event, I’m really excited to make one myself ...today !  This is my 2^nd time baking this famous Austrian torte & was a bit worried that it will not work & also not sure about the combination between apricot & cocoa!  Intriguing recipe indeed ( for me at least. You all know how limited my baking experiences , right)   & that’s what I ADORE ! LOL .  The first time I’ve baked Linzer torte was with my best friend & he did most of the work actually !  Ya, I was not as patient as him at that time !  God bless him.  This ‘revisité’ version is from Larousse cookbook – Tartes Maison.  A wonderful cookbook full with all kinds of delicious tartes . Just look at the cover of this cookbook & you’ll understand why I need to have this book . LOL  What a wonderful discovery again. I must say that I was not disappointed at all with this cocoa version of Linzer torte. Just love the rich nutty chocolatey crust with apricot jam combo was simply sublime .  To bad that I did not have any homemade apricot jam . I’m sure it tasted even better with home made  jam .  I’ve made this tart in a rectangle pan & some mini tarts with the leftover dough .  But unfortunately I don’t have enough apricot filling .. Found a jar of fig & walnut jam in my refrigerator that need to be use before it expires . So there you go , another version of Linzer torte  .  It was real  fun making these torte , just like playing Playdoh !  Twisting , turning & cutting! Feel like a kid all over again !  LOL

Jane Austen moment in Persuasion

Chapter 12

Then it is settled, Musgrove," cried Captain Wentworth, "that you stay, and that I take care of your sister home.  But as to the rest, as to the others, if one stays to assist Mrs Harville, I think it need be only one.  Mrs Charles Musgrove will, of course, wish to get back to her children; but if Anne will stay, no one so proper, so capable as Anne."
She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing herself so spoken of.  The other two warmly agreed with what he said, and she then appeared.
"You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;" cried he, turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness, which seemed almost restoring the past. She coloured deeply, and he recollected himself and moved away. She expressed herself most willing, ready, happy to remain.  "It was what she had been thinking of, and wishing to be allowed to do.  A bed on the floor in Louisa's room would be sufficient for her, if Mrs Harville would but think so."

Little that I know that this famous Austrian  Linzer Torte is also a Christmas treat ! How wonderful !

Apricot & Cocoa Linzer Torte - – Linzertorte au cocoa & aux abricots

Adapted from Larousse cookbook – Tartes Maison

Ingredients Serves 8

250g flour

150g powdered sugar

50g unsweetened cocoa powder

150g ground almond

250g semi salted butter ( diced)

2 egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla extract

180g dried apricots ( chopped)

100 ml orange juice

4 tbsp of apricot liquer

400g apricot jam + 100g for glazing

26cm pie mould or cake pan

Directions:

1)      Preheat oven to 180°C. Greased cake pan.

2)      Combined flour, sugar, cocoa powder & ground almond in mixing  bowl & mix till well combined. 

3)      Add in  butter & mix again till all combined. Add in egg  yolks & stir well. Knead the dough till smooth about 2 minute.  Cut 1/3  of the dough & wrap in polybag. Store it in the refrigerator.

4)      Roll the rest of the dough up onto the rolling pin and gently unroll it over one of the prepared tart pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Let to cool.

5)      In a sauce pan combine chopped apricots with orange juice on medium heat & bring to a boil.  Let  to simmer for 10 minutes on LOW heat . Remove from heat & add in apricot liqueur & 400g of apricot jam. Stir well till well combined. Let to cool for awhile.  Spread evenly the apricot mixture in the precooked cocoa crust. 

6)      Using the chill dough to make the topping by rolling it into 1 cm  thick & arrange strips, lattice fashion or using cookies cutters to cut the shape desired . I’ve  twisted  gently the strips & place it on the tart & press the edges. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Let to cool.

7)      Bring to a boil the rest of 100g of apricot jam on low heat . Brush the jam on the tart & serve.

A lovely combination that I've never have thought of putting together ! Simply AMAZING!

Submitting this post to  Free & Easy Bake Along event hosted by  Joyce of Kitchen Flavours ,  Lena of  Frozen Wings &  Zoe  from Bake For Happy Kids. And this weeks theme is Linzer Torte.