NAPOLEON TORTE

 

Serves 12

Preparation Time: About 2 hrs 30 minutes

 

This spectacular Torte was introduced to us by our lovely friend Yelena who made the one shown in the photo above!   I believe she adds Cognac to the creme patisserie, but this is not only divine but incredibly impressive and unfortunately about 550 calories a portion - but worth it!!!!
Also featured on Let the Baking Begin
 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

Quick Puff Pastry
        400 g. butter, cold
        2 eggs
        150 ml water, cold
        6 cups all purpose flour (650 g)
        3 tbsp vodka/cognac
        1 tbsp vinegar (9%)
        Pinch of Salt

Egg Yolk Custard
        7 egg yolks
        6 cups milk
        1½ - 2¼ cup sugar
        1 tbsp vanilla extract
        1 cup flour
        150-200 g butter

        2 tbsp Cognac (optional)

Pack of Walnuts, crushed

 

 

 

AND THIS IS WHAT YOU DO......

 

Make Puff Pastry

1.  Mix cold water, 1 tablespoon vinegar & 3 tablespoons vodka in a cup.

2.  In a separate cup whisk together eggs and salt. Combine mixtures of two cups and stir to combine.

3.  Add flour to the cup of your food processor. Add cold, cubed butter and pulse or process until the crumbs are
    pea size.

4.  Add the egg mixture and continue processing until the dough starts sticking to itself a bit, but is not formed yet.

5.  Pour the content of the food processor bowl onto work surface and start gathering and sticking the dough
    together with your hands, trying to work it as little as possible. Form a ball and kneed it for a couple of

    seconds until a dough forms.

6.  Shape the dough into a log and then cut it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, place on a plate, cover
    with plastic and refrigerate for about an hour.

Work on the frosting

1.  Combine egg yolks & sugar in a bowl and whisk them together, adding 50 milliliters of milk to make it easier.

2.  Add the flour and whisk again, forming very uniform, clump free batter. Add another 50 milliliters of milk to make

    it easier.

3.  Heat the remaining milk in a pot until boiling, all the while stirring to keep the bottom from scorching.  
    Best to use a Bain Marie.

4.  Transfer the the egg & flour mixture into a larger pot (about 3 quarts).

5.  Tamper the egg yolk mixture by slowly pouring the hot milk in, all the while mixing.

6.  Pour the mixture back into the pot and bring it to boil, continuously (!!) stirring and keeping the bottom of the

    pot from scorching. Once boiling, cook for 2-3 minutes.

7.  Add butter, allow to melt and stir to for a smooth custard.

8.  Allow the custard to cool by pouring it into a jelly roll baking sheet and covering it with plastic wrap
    (plastic wrap should touch the custard, to keep the skin from forming). Do not refrigerate, just bring to room
    temperature.

Bake the cake layers

1.  Preheat oven to 400F. Set the rack in the middle.

2.  On a back of a jelly roll baking sheet, roll out 1 dough ball, until about 11-12 inches in size, by dusting the surface
    with flour as needed.

3.  Bake for 5-7 minutes, until lightly golden.

4.  Repeat with the rest of the dough.

5.  Once the cake layers have cooled, place a 10 inch plate on top of each cake layer and cut around, collecting the
    scraps into a separate bowl and being careful to keep the cake layers from cracking.

6.  Crumble the cake scraps.

 

Assembly

1.  Place a dab of frosting on a serving platter.

2.  Place first cake layer and press to adhere.

3.  Surround the cake layer by a cake ring. The rest of the cake will be built inside the ring.

4.  Place about 4 large spoons of frosting and smooth it around. Repeat with the rest of the frosting and cake.

5.  Cover the cake and keep at room temperature for 12 hours+12 hours in the fridge; or in the fridge for at least 48
    hours before continuing.

6.  Run a knife between the cake and the ring. Remove the ring.

7.  Take some crumbled scraps into the palm of your hand and press them against the sides of the cake, all around.

8.  Sprinkle the rest of the cake crumbs on top of the cake. The cake scraps are not only for decoration, but also to
    keep a skin from forming on the custard.

9.  Serve chilled.   Best made at least 24 - 48 hours before serving.