Chocolate & Walnut Torte

I am one of those people who believe you can't go wrong with chocolate cake. I mean, come on, what's not to like? Eating chocolate cake is like getting a big hug when you are having a bad day. It just has a way of comforting you, and this Chocolate & Walnut Torte is no exception. Don't be intimidated by the word torte, it really is a very simple recipe.

Chocolate and Walnut Torte
recipe adapted from here

1 stick unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for pan
1 cup all purpose flour, plus more for pan
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
8 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, plus 1/4 cup  for topping cake


Ganache

1/2 cup heavy cream
4 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8 inch round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large heatproof bowl, set over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the butter and chocolate, stirring frequently. Remove bowl from pan. Whisk in sugar, vanilla, eggs, buttermilk, and walnuts. Fold into flour mixture just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, about 60 minutes. Let cool in pan about 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. Remove the parchment paper.

Make ganache. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer, remove from heat. Add chocolate, and let stand 5 minutes, whisk until smooth. Let cool about 6 minutes and pour onto center of cake, using a table knife, spread evenly over top and down the sides. Let set about 30 minutes, then top with remaining walnuts.