Apples & Oranges Torte

Name: Apples & Oranges Torte
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 can(s) non-stick cooking spray; TORTE:; 1 c granulated sugar; 1/3 c vegetable shortening; 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 c all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 c peeled and shredded red apple; 3/4 c chopped pecans; ORANGE CURD:; 2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk; 2/3 c granulated sugar; 1/3 c freshly squeezed orange juice; 1 tsp very fine orange zest; 1/8 tsp salt; 1/4 c unsalted butter, diced; FROSTING:; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/4 tsp vanilla extract; 1 c powdered sugar; 8 oz frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed; 1/2 c finely chopped lightly toasted pecans; GARNISH:; 1 slice red apple, (do not peel)

By Mary Shivers
@mshivers60

With an abundance of apples every fall, I love to use them in creative ways. In this recipe, I baked a small version of my favorite apple cake, spread it with a simple orange curd, then piped the top with a fluffy cream cheese frosting and added a heavy sprinkling of toasted pecans. Sweet perfection. Absolutely magnificent!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

A magnificent dessert? Absolutely! But you know what? We think it would make a magnificent breakfast, too. ;) The Test Kitchen

Rating:

★★★★★ 2 votes5

Comments:

22 Comments

Serves:

Prep:

30 Min

Cook:

30 Min

Method:

Bake

Ingredients

1 can(s)

non-stick cooking spray
TORTE:
1 c

granulated sugar
1/3 c

vegetable shortening
2 Tbsp

unsalted butter, softened
1 large

egg
1 tsp

vanilla extract
1 c

all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp

baking soda
1/4 tsp

baking powder
1/4 tsp

salt
1/2 tsp

ground cinnamon
2 c

peeled and shredded red apple
3/4 c

chopped pecans
ORANGE CURD:
2 large

eggs plus 1 egg yolk
2/3 c

granulated sugar
1/3 c

freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tsp

very fine orange zest
1/8 tsp

salt
1/4 c

unsalted butter, diced
FROSTING:
4 oz

cream cheese, softened
1/4 tsp

vanilla extract
1 c

powdered sugar
8 oz

frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1/2 c

finely chopped lightly toasted pecans
GARNISH:
1 slice

red apple, (do not peel)
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How to Make Apples & Oranges Torte

Step-by-Step

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9-inch springform pan with removable bottom with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar, shortening, and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
Sift flour, soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. With mixer on low speed, gradually beat dry ingredients into first mixture until well mixed. Fold in apples and pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched and center tests done with a toothpick. Remove from oven. Cool completely.
While cake is baking make curd by whisking together eggs, egg yolk, sugar, orange juice, zest, and salt in a 1-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir in diced butter.
Cook over medium heat for 5-8 minutes until mixture thickens, stirring often. Remove from heat. Pour into a small plastic bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes until chilled.
For frosting, in a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and vanilla on low speed until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar. Fold in whipped topping.
Remove outer ring of pan from cake. Place cake, still on pan bottom, on a large cake plate. Spread top with chilled curd. Pipe or spread frosting on curd. Sprinkle with pecans. Chill for 1 hour. Garnish with apple slice. Cut torte into wedges to serve. Serves 12.