TWD: Chocolate Amaretto Torte

I'd like to thank Holly of PheMOMenon (click for recipe) for choosing this 15 Minute Magic: Chocolate Amaretto Torte and making my life a bit easier this Easter Weekend.  I offered to make a cake for Easter dinner, knowing that this would be a delicious and elegant dessert that wouldn't take me all day to make.  Two days before, I had baked 4 dozen cupcakes for Cupcake Camp NYC (which I will write about later this week) and wreaked havoc on my parents kitchen, leaving the countertops and cabinets smeared with flours and frosting, so it was nice to bake something that only needed to pulse in a food processor.  

I remember a commercial from about 15 years ago where a mother was making Rice Krispie treats in the kitchen while her guests waited in the living room.  To make them think she was slaving away in the kitchen, she threw some flour on her face and clothes and made her way through the swinging kitchen door in mock weariness. The guests were elated as they lunged for the delicious treats as they smiled and laughed as only people in commercials do. 

Looking back on this, I don't know what kind of person would fall for a trick like that.  What kind of Rice Krispie treat recipe uses flour?

However, at the ripe old age of 12 years old, I used to bake Christmas cookies from the slice and bake logs and would throw flour on myself and muck up my hair in order to trick my unsuspecting family into thinking that I baked the cookies from scratch.  

Yes, it is true.  My secret is out. And I am not ashamed of it. Not one bit. 

Now that I have learned how to actually bake, I would never do that (although I am often tempted). I did want to jazz up the cake a bit, so I made a mini cake for photo purposes, placed the cake atop an amaretto cookie, topped the cake with a layer of chocolate mousse, topped the layer of chocolate mousse with the chocolate ganache and let the cake set, set it on a smear of chocolate and eccola! The deliciously dense, rich, and velvety chocolate cake paired so well with the supremely light, creamy mousse.  It was like a chocolate party in my mouth that took 20 minutes to make instead of 15.

I think we've all just found a way to make an impressive dessert without cheating! What do Snap, Crackle and Pop know?

As a side note, are those the names of the little Rice Krispie elves? Are they even elves?  Why can't I find this on Google? Wikipedia?  Is the Kellog's Company proficient at creating a ruse to trick and confuse people?  Who would win in a fight: the Keebler Elves or the ambiguous Rice Krispie Treat Elfen-like creatures? These are the questions to which I need answers!

In the meantime, check out more 15 Minute Magic over at TWD!  

Comments

[mike]

Another creative presentation - who would have thought??? Love it! Mini tortes! I love the 3-layer look to them - you could sell these by the dozens..... addictive! Now, time to wipe the almond flour off my face! Nicely done!

[Marthe]

Great presentation! Your mini-tortes look amazing!!

[farah]

Love the three layers, very nice!!

[Jessica]

I love the mini-cake, it's beautiful! I can't wait to hear about cupcake camp, I'm totally intrigued.

[Megan]

Snap Crackle and Pop could totally whoop the Keebler Elves. It's Throwdown time!

[lisaiscooking]

It looks so pretty as you've plated it! The cake itself looks incredibly moist.

[MsGourmet]

Almost too cute to eat!

[Tracey]

You are so creative Teanna! Your mini cake looks gorgeous. Can't wait to hear about Cupcake Camp!

[sabrina]

That looks so amazingly good! Get the food fax started!

[Maria]

I love the mini cake! I can't wait to see all of your cupcakes! What a fun event!

[natalia]

I love the way you made it ! this way it looks like a two hors work ! You got professional !!

[Cathy]

Snap, Crackle and Pop, baby! Gotta love those commercials. As usual, you've completely taken this dessert to the next level. You are so talented and creative!

[ingrid]

You did a fantastic job! Your photos look great....I especially like the close up. Okay so truthfully making the mousse had to have added to the kitchen mess and time. So much for taking it easy, huh!

The Kellog guys seem to be a younger rougher crew; might have to go with them over the older kinder looking Keebler bunch. :-)

Btw, did I ever tell you I made your banana ice cream? YUM! I'll be linking back to you when I post.
~ingrid

[Sugar B]

You put on the fancy show there with that professional white restaurant plate and chocolate trail. WHATEVA!!!

I love it!!!! :)

Yes I used to do the same ghetto moves when I didn't know how to bake . . and faked baked. I had all of them fooled.

But now . . since we BOTH know how to bake, it tastes so much better, doncha think?! :D

YAY FOR TEANNA!!!

[Hornedfroggy of My Baking Heart]

How cute are your mini tortes?!? :) Beautiful pics, T!!

[Lady Baker]

wow, what an amazing presentation! Makes my triangular piece o' torte rather boring..

I think Snap Crackle'n' Pop would play dirty if they had to--they'd take the Keebler elves in a smack-down in my opinion...

[Michelle]

OO I love that last picture. It looks sooo good! Im not into sweets much these days but I would have to eat that! Great post.

[pinkstripes]

I like the addition of chocolate mousse. Sounds delicious. Great presentation

[CB]

Your mini torte cupcakes turned out adorable! And look at your plating skills! Someone's been watching Top Chef reruns huh? haha. Awesome job.
Clara @ iheartfood4thought

[Katrina]

Simply divine. I knew you'd get creative with it! ;)
PLEASE, let us know if you get the Snap, Crackle, Pop answers!