Dobos? Check!
August 27, 2009 at 12:00 am | Posted in Baking / Cooking, Food | 81 CommentsScribbled on sheets of faded lined paper, buried within a plain-faced notebook, lists of all imaginable contents rattle on and on, marching down the pages with numbers or bullet marks leading the way. If not for these lists, I could very well lose my marbles- How else could I remember all of the hundreds of things I want to do, make, and see, from short term goals to future plans? If ideas were butterflies, this notebook would be my net, preventing those gems from slipping through my fingers. You may have already guessed it, but one of these lengthy outlines is headed with the title “Dream Pastry Challenges,” penned with excitable, sloppy print. From St. Honore to Sans Rival, difficult desserts are often added to the growing tally, but rarely checked off. Between recipe development, everyday cooking, and working in a restaurant, who has time for even more extracurricular baking?
Imagine my delight, then, when it was announced that August’s Daring Baking Challenge would be one of those formidable sweets I had scrawled on my list so long ago: The Dobos Torte.
The August 2009 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Angela of A Spoonful of Sugar and Lorraine of Not Quite Nigella. They chose the spectacular Dobos Torte based on a recipe from Rick Rodgers’ cookbook Kaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Caffés of Vienna, Budapest, and Prague.
Now that it had been officially assigned, however, there was no way I could just make the traditional chocolate-and-vanilla, round cake. But what could be changed, while maintaining the integrity of this torte? How could I make it more interesting? As the reveal date drew nearer and still no Dobos had emerged from my kitchen, I grew downright panicky. Quickly, something, anything, had to be done! Inverting the flavors with a dark chocolate cake and white chocolate frosting, it seemed sufficiently modified at the time of brainstorming, especially when presented in individual rectangles.
But alas, the manifestation of this concept was considerably less impressive and graceful than it had been in my head. Like they say in Italian, “Brutti ma bouni” (Good but ugly.)
For days I stewed, contemplating trashing the whole challenge, burning time that could have been used to rectify the situation. Finally, with one day remaining, it became clear that there was only one option: Start from scratch. No way could I let this one slip by, not when it had been on my list for so long, and not when I’ve gone almost two years as a Daring Baker without missing a single challenge.
Gathering my enthusiasm, it was back to the drawing board. Perhaps the flavor needed more attention, I conceded. Why I suddenly decided that a pepper cake would be just the ticket, I still couldn’t say for sure.
But am I ever thankful I ran with it. Five 6-inch round layers of sweet roasted red pepper cake stack up beneath a coating of Mexican chocolate frosting. Crowned with a hollow sphere of pure dark chocolate and a disk of cayenne caramel, it’s a decidedly different, more modern take on this classic cake.
Since the nasturtium growing in the garden have been so hot and peppery this year, it seemed only appropriate that they too should be invited to the party. It all makes for one sensational sweet-savory-salty-spicy dessert!
Seeing it come together so beautifully in the end, despite the initial failure, was a huge relief. At this moment, there is nothing more gratifying than being able to check this one off my list.
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Wow!! Simply beautiful!
Comment by Megan— August 27, 2009 #
Wow!!! That looks amazing. Beautiful job as always =D
Comment by Tim— August 27, 2009 #
As always, your cake looks wonderful.
Comment by Anh— August 27, 2009 #
your Tortes are stunning!! Love the red flowers.
Comment by Ellie@AlmostBourdain— August 27, 2009 #
Oh how I would have loved to have a piece of this cake. It’s just beautiful but the flavors has me enchanted!
Comment by megan— August 27, 2009 #
What a fantastic idea! And the presentation is lovely!
Comment by Julie— August 27, 2009 #
So cool! What a great combination of flavors, and very beautiful!
Comment by sara— August 27, 2009 #
Beauttttiful job girl! I want you to bake me a birthday cake. I bet it would be freaking incredible.
Comment by Lainie— August 27, 2009 #
Just stunning, as usual. I feel like you just get better and better my dear!!
Comment by Ashley— August 27, 2009 #
amazing.
Comment by laci— August 27, 2009 #
Holy moly! How gorgeous is that cake…you went ALL out.
Comment by peabody— August 27, 2009 #
I’m totally stunned a pepper Dodos torta!!!! I think you have very very high standards. And the other flavours, sweet roasted red pepper cake stack up beneath a coating of Mexican chocolate frosting. Crowed with a hollow sphere of pure dark chocolate and a disk of cayenne caramel, are astounding. Wonderous effort and your photos are goregous. Cheers from Audax in Australia. I hope it tasted delicious it sounds so good.
Comment by Audax Artifex— August 27, 2009 #
Thta is absolutely brilliant! I adore your flavours and the presentation :)
Comment by Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella— August 27, 2009 #
roasted red pepper cake, that is so genius and I’m mad to know what it could taste like!! everything just screams innovation, and there’s even little red flecks peppering the crumb… eeek, I’m in love! spicy spicy spicy…..
Comment by liz— August 27, 2009 #
O love the presentation! Your cakes look so pbeautiful! Very well done!
Cheers,
Rosa
Comment by Rosa— August 27, 2009 #
Hannah, you’re amazing!
Comment by Alice Leonard— August 27, 2009 #
Wow,what an amazingly beautiful cake Hannah!
Comment by Yaelian— August 27, 2009 #
me he enamorado…i love….de tu foto…………….puedo adoptarte?
I love your picture.
AN I adopt you?
Comment by cookemila— August 27, 2009 #
Just Waouw !
this is not a surprise, with you, everything is always perfect!
Bravo !
Comment by VeganPower— August 27, 2009 #
I wanted to veganize dobostorta for ages! Now I know it is doable. Not only is your cake very beautiful, the ingredients sound amazing, too!
Comment by mihl— August 27, 2009 #
Absolutely gorgeous. You have worked your magic again, Hannah!
Comment by Shelby— August 27, 2009 #
Wow this looks fab
Comment by marybakes— August 27, 2009 #
My goodness! Your flavor combos are inspired. Great takes on this classic recipe!
Comment by Little Miss Cupcake— August 27, 2009 #
Roasted red pepper cake??? Mexican chocolate frosting!?!?!
Reason Number 475 why you are my favorite vegan blogger! Pure genius, that cake sounds so amazing! I love the combination of chocolate and heat so this would be a dream for me. And I don’t even know what to say about the pictures….stunning, absolutely stunning.
Comment by The voracious Vegan— August 27, 2009 #
Wow if only I lived in your kitchen…*beams
Comment by aredcardigan— August 27, 2009 #
*blink*
*blinkblink*
*blinkblinkblink*
this leaves me so searching for words, I have to resign to my mothertongue….
BOAH !
Comment by itstartedwithafish— August 27, 2009 #
That looks like my kind of chocolate cake. Cayenne caramel? Brilliant!
Comment by dragonfly pie— August 27, 2009 #
Beautiful, as always!
Comment by Nicole— August 27, 2009 #
hannah, you never cease to impress. I love the roasted red pepper cake. i did a chocolate cake white frosting but i like yours more.
Comment by maybelles mom (feeding maybelle)— August 27, 2009 #
Sounds lovely! You must have SO much patience to make things like this :)
Rose
Comment by Roses R Red— August 27, 2009 #
Your creations are always so facinating. I’m having a hard time envisioning that flavor combination but imagine it was complex and interesting. I think you’re too hard on yourself. I see nothing wrong with the original.
Comment by Kelly— August 27, 2009 #
The first one isn’t clunky at all–I don’t know what you’re thinking! But the idea of a pepper cake is spinning my head, and sending me to the kitchen. I love the color & the flavor must be fantastic!
Comment by Jes— August 27, 2009 #
beautiful, ambitious, and unique! and, i’m sure, delicious. how on earth you created a hollow dark chocolate sphere and a cayenne caramel disc are kind of beyond me at the moment, haha…
Comment by allularpunk— August 27, 2009 #
Beautiful Hannah. I have been dreaming about sweet potato desserts lately (it must be the fall chill in the air). I am inspired by your flavour combinations to do a little experimenting.
I did a raw version of the Dobos Torta. It was really tasty but not much to look at. I think my challenge in October will be to work on presentation.
Comment by veganlisa— August 27, 2009 #
The flavor combination sounds sooooo yummy!
Comment by sarah— August 27, 2009 #
I have to agree with everyone…Wow. Absolutely divine! Such unique flavor combinations and beautifully decorated!
Comment by April— August 27, 2009 #
Very elegant cake you did a fabulous job!
Comment by Jeena— August 27, 2009 #
Wow, they both look incredible! What an over-achiever! I dont really understand your disappointment with the first one, it sounds lovely and looks amazing, but the other one is incredible with the sphere.
Comment by jennywenny— August 27, 2009 #
Hannah, I love your blog. I wish you would make a DVD, since my latest in pure couch planting thumb sucking gratification is watching cooking DVD’s. It should be at least two hours long, longer if possible. I’m sure you’d make lots of bucks with it. My recipe requests are the iced tea cupcakes with lemon tea frosting, the samosa potato salad, the fruit butters, the pomegranate poached pears and the roasted garlic tapenade. Your second DVD could be all Chanukah recipes.
Comment by Bliss Doubt— August 27, 2009 #
Where do you come up with these amazing flavor combinations? You’re brilliant!
Comment by Vegyogini— August 27, 2009 #
your version looks delicious!! great job!
Comment by stephchows— August 27, 2009 #
I remember you were so excited when this challenge was announced. I think both versions look beautiful, but you were amazingly creative with your final Dobos. And the caramel crown layer is glorious!
Comment by Diann— August 27, 2009 #
Wow, wow. wow…such a nice cake…very pretty and elegant! Great pictures as always!
Comment by Juliana— August 27, 2009 #
Holy Moses! those tortes are gorgeous! You are soooo talented!
Comment by Janelle— August 27, 2009 #
You must dream about cakes, pies, cookies, etc to come up with such brilliant combos! Where does all of the inspiration come from?!
Comment by Jessica— August 27, 2009 #
Wow! You are so amazing. Great job.
Comment by Wendy— August 27, 2009 #
Woah, you are totally awesome!
Comment by Jojo— August 27, 2009 #
[...] Bittersweet [...]
Pingback by Dobos Torte, August DB Challenge « Ben the Baker— August 27, 2009 #
I’m glad you stuck with it! Your torte looks amazing and sounds quite yummy :)
Comment by StarSpry— August 27, 2009 #
Quite a shocking combo – love it! I’m so glad you found the inspiration to try something like this; it’s what I love about snooping around your site. Gorgeous job!
Comment by Caitlin— August 27, 2009 #
Congrats on meeting one of your goals and the DB challenge! Your photos are beautiful and your tortes sound exotic and look picture perfect!
Comment by Sue— August 27, 2009 #
whoa*
*no additional words necessary
Comment by SweetKaroline— August 27, 2009 #
ok, so when do we get more scoop on this red pepper cake?
what a work of art!
Comment by Cheryl Harris— August 27, 2009 #
WOW that looks sooo good!!! And the first cake looks so good too (definitely not ugly!)…congrats on achieving one of your goals!! :)
Comment by Sara the Kitchenphobe— August 27, 2009 #
i love happy endings! that is ridiculously pretty.
Comment by Sophie— August 27, 2009 #
Whenever I see creations such as these- I want to make them. Copy them shamelessly and bake ‘em up. But this has me totally blown away. The number of ‘how’s on this one are enumerable. Amazing!
Comment by Meghan Telpner— August 27, 2009 #
FANTASTIC! I love it! You really outdid yourself on this challenge.
Comment by Chez US— August 27, 2009 #
The pepper cake is genius enough, but to add a nasturtium? Perfect! What a brilliant interpretation! And so pretty, too.
Comment by anna— August 27, 2009 #
Absolutely Beautiful… the bonlong in a pastry shop window!
Comment by vibi— August 28, 2009 #
Wow Hannah you are insanely amazing!!
Comment by Ashley— August 28, 2009 #
Pepper cake? What a great idea! I love the flavor combinations you come up with!
Comment by Tessa— August 28, 2009 #
Stunning, to say the least.
Comment by A&N— August 28, 2009 #
Wow! Your tortes are gorgeous =D. I love the your spin on it, with such great flavours!
Comment by Lauren— August 28, 2009 #
Ingenious as always, I love the idea of the roasted red pepper cake!
Comment by Maggie— August 28, 2009 #
THIS IS SOOO impressivE! My jaw is wide open!! WOO!
Comment by burpexcuzme— August 28, 2009 #
I love BOTH variations you created! Beautiful and so creative! :)
Comment by Jill— August 29, 2009 #
Ok..hands down..most unique flavor out of all the Dobos Tortes I’ve seen thus far (great way to get veggies into veggie haters), and a beauty to boot. I’ll also take the inside out Dobos, even though you weren’t thrilled with it! They both look awesome!
Comment by lisamichele— August 29, 2009 #
Oh your dobos is so so pretty paired with the nasturtium flower! Did you eat it with the cake?
Comment by Megan@Feasting on Art— August 30, 2009 #
Simply divine! The cayenne caramel sounds really good. I’ve been wanting to make a Mexican chocolate-flavored cake for a while now. Kudos!
Comment by Singing Horse— August 30, 2009 #
Why am I not surprised with the way your torte turned out? :)
Looks beautiful and that’s the most unusual flavour I’ve seen so for, for this cake.
Comment by Aparna— August 30, 2009 #
Both cakes look absolutely stunning!! Love your finishing touches to the cake. Makes it look elegant.
Comment by asti— August 31, 2009 #
I love how it came out, both cakes look fantastic. The one with the black light cakes must be delicious.
Comment by morgana— August 31, 2009 #
Why am I not surprised with the way your torte turned out? :)
Looks beautiful and that’s the most unusual flavour I’ve seen so for, for this cake.;. All the best!!
Comment by Pedre— August 31, 2009 #
Wow, that looks just fantastic and very yummy. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful photos …
Comment by VVS-Hedestoker— August 31, 2009 #
looks absolutely perfect! almost too perfect to eat, but what fun would that be?
Comment by Bethany— August 31, 2009 #
Gorgeous! How did you make the hollow chocolate sphere?
Comment by Lauren B— August 31, 2009 #
Oh my god, Hannah, I am speechless at how beautiful this is. You did a superb job!!!
Comment by veron— August 31, 2009 #
I think they both look amazing–I’d be happy to take that first one off your hands! ;) Congrats on a fabulous job.
Comment by Ricki— August 31, 2009 #
Oh. My. Gawd. I almost fell over upon reading about/seeing that amazing cake!
Comment by chase I ohthecuteness— September 1, 2009 #
Damn, just can’t beat your creativity! :) you are fabulous!
Comment by Big Boys Oven— September 2, 2009 #
Oh my my, so beautiful!
Comment by Melisser— September 19, 2009 #