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    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Published: Jun 19, 2014 · Updated: Dec 3, 2024 by Becky Sue

    Berry Blitz Torte

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    Blitz Berry Torte by Baking The Goods.
    Blitz Berry Torte by Baking The Goods.
    Jump to:
    • I don't like cake
    • Rethinking my devotion to pie
    • Torte ingredients
    • How to make a honey custard
    • Keeping the custard from getting a skin
    • How to make torte cake layers
    • Making meringue topping for the cake layers
    • Baking the cake layers
    • How to fill and top the torte
    • Blitz Berry Torte glamour shots
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    I don't like cake

    Cakes are kind of my baking frenemy. We just don't agree on so many things. They require precision, patience and perfection... three things that I struggle with in the kitchen. My rustic baking style doesn't match up well with artfully crafted, fondant covered whimsey. I just can't. I find more joy in the process of baking than fine tipped decorating details. If I bake a cake, it needs substance, not just a pretty face. I want an interesting flavor profile with texture and character. Hmm, this is beginning to sound more like a dating profile than a blog post about cakes...

    SWF seeking full-bodied cake with a multi-layered personality and depth. Must be naturally sweet and honest, no fake additives or frosted facades. Looking for a long term connection to share many birthdays and celebrations with, not just a one night binge. Preferably a little spicy and nutty between the layers. A vibrant and fruity personality is a major plus. Must be open to having coffee and not afraid of being put on a pedestal.

    Finding the "perfect" cake may very well be akin to finding the "perfect" mate.  It can be a long and exhaustive search full of surprises and occasional disappointments. Baking a cake is a big commitment, and if you go in with unrealistic expectations you can end up investing a bunch of time into something that just turns out to be a hot mess. Before you go down the rabbit hole of cake baking, be prepared for things to get a little messy and unpredictable.

    Rethinking my devotion to pie

    I've been a pie loyalist for as long as I can remember. Cake just doesn't do it for me. However, This Berry Blitz Torte has me rethinking my current relationship status with pie. After spending some serious time getting to know the inner workings of this cake, I can surely say I have fallen head over heels for it. While we had our moments – I almost walked out few times while baking it – in the end I realized it was totally worth the work I put in.

    Torte ingredients

    This Berry Blitz Torte is the full package; layered with a solid base of rich yellow cake, topped with a light and fluffy meringue, filled with naturally sweet honey custard, sprinkled with rich toasted almonds and topped with bright juicy berries. Seriously, what more could you ask for in a partner... I mean, cake.

    While this may not be the most conventionally pretty cake, I find it to be one of the most beautifully constructed cakes there is, both inside and out. Seriously, it was love at first bite with this sweet thing. If it was legal to marry a cake in the state of California, I'd get down on one knee right now.  The variety of textures, flavors and ingredients has me weak in the knees. If true love had a flavor, it would taste just like this Berry Blirz Torte.

    Sorry pies, I just couldn't contain myself. I am sure I will come crawling back to you soon.  But for now, I'm involved with a sweet summer fling called Berry Blitz Torte.

    Berry Blitz Torte Berries
    This relationship began with a mutual affinity for fresh farmers market berries.

    How to make a honey custard

    Berry Blitz Torte Custard Ingredients
    The ingredients for the honey custard are few and simple.
    Berry Blitz Torte Cornstarch
    The cornstarch helps the custard thicken and set.
    Berry Blitz Torte Milk
    Tempering the egg yolks with hot milk keeps them from cooking too fast and turning into scrambled eggs.
    Berry Blitz Torte Temper
    Slowly pour the milk/egg mixture back in with the rest of the milk to keep them from cooking too quickly.
    Berry Blitz Torte Thicken
    The honey custard will begin to thicken after a few minutes of whisking steadily over medium-low heat.
    Berry Blitz Torte Strain
    Strain the custard to remove any clumps formed during thickening.
    Berry Blitz Torte Butter
    Whisking in the butter adds a smooth and rich creaminess to the custard.
    Berry Blitz Torte Custard Smooth
    Once the butter is fully incorporated you will end up with a smooth consistent honey custard.

    Keeping the custard from getting a skin

    Berry Blitz Torte Custard Wrap
    Laying a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the custard helps keep that weird skin from forming on the top.

    How to make torte cake layers

    Berry Blitz Torte Pans
    Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans by greasing them and lining them with parchment circles.
    Berry Blitz Torte Mixing
    Alternate the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients when mixing the cake batter.
    Berry Blitz Torte Thick Batter
    The batter is incredibly thick, don't let that scare you away.
    Berry Blitz Torte Batter
    The cake batter is so thick that it is challenging to spread across the bottom of the pans, but do your best to make it evenly cover the base. It will be a very thin layer of batter.

    Making meringue topping for the cake layers

    Berry Blitz Torte Foam
    To make the meringue topping, start by whipping the egg whites and salt on a low speed. The mixture will begin to get frothy.
    Berry Blitz Torte Whipped Meringue
    Gradually increase the speed and whip until soft foamy peaks form, like this.
    Berry Blitz Torte Sugar
    While the mixer is on low speed, slowly add the sugar in a steady stream.
    Meringue
    The finished meringue should hold firm glossy peaks, like this.
    Berry Blitz Torte Meringue Layer
    Evenly divide the meringue topping directly onto the cake batter.
    Berry Blitz Torte Sprinkle
    Top with sliced almonds and vanilla bourbon sugar (if you have it) or turbinado sugar.
    Berry Blitz Torte Strawberry Meringue
    Clean the meringue out the mixing bowl with leftover berries and enjoy while the cake bakes!

    Baking the cake layers

    Berry Blitz Torte Cooling
    My cakes came out all puffed up and uneven, mostly likely due to the uneven baking of my crappy oven. However, once they started to cool things settled nicely.
    Berry Blitz Torte Cooling
    The cakes should cool on cooling racks for at least 20 minutes.
    Berry Blitz Torte Slide
    Carefully slide the base layer (I chose the lumpier one to go on the bottom) face up onto a cake stand or plate.
    Berry Blitz Torte Base
    The relationship between the cake base and the meringue topping is a thing of beauty.

    How to fill and top the torte

    Berry Blitz Torte Custard Layer
    Spread the subtly sweet and slightly earthy honey custard directly onto the bottom layer of cake.
    Berry Blitz Torte Berry Layer
    Top with a mix of various berries. I didn't use strawberries in the middle layer because I didn't want to chop them and they made an uneven surface. Use the berries to fill any divots in the base layer.
    Berry Blitz Torte Lid
    Carefully place the top layer over the berries.
    Berry Blitz Torte Sandwich
    Looking pretty darn pretty.
    Berry Blitz Torte Decorate
    I just love the look of these sweet little whole strawberries. Cutest, ever.
    Berry Blitz Torte Adding Berries
    It's possible I went a little overboard with the berries but they just taste so darn good and look lovely on this cake.

    Blitz Berry Torte glamour shots

    Blitze Berry Torte, what a beaut
    Blitze Berry Torte, what a beaut!
    Blitze Berry Torte, what a beaut
    Blitze Berry Torte, what a beaut.
    Blitz Berry Torte, marry me?!
    Blitz Berry Torte, marry me?!
    Print

    Recipe

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    Berry Blitz Torte

    Berry Blitz Torte


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    • Author: Baking The Goods
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    Description

    This Berry Blitz Torte is a complex and flavorful rustic cake layered with a rich yellow cake base, fluffy meringue, sweet honey custard, toasty almonds and bright juicy berries.


    Ingredients

    Units

    Honey Custard

    • whole milk - ¾ cup
    • egg yolks at room temperature - 2
    • honey - ⅓ cup
    • cornstarch - 1 ½ tablespoons
    • fine salt - ¼ teaspoon
    • unsalted butter - 2 tablespoons

    Cake

    • cake flour - 1 cup
    • baking powder - 1 teaspoon
    • cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
    • fine salt - ¼ teaspoon
    • unsalted butter at room temperature - ½ cup
    • egg yolks at room temperature - 4
    • firmly packed brown sugar - ½ cup
    • vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon
    • whole milk - 3 tablespoons

    Meringue Topping

    • fine salt - ¼ teaspoon
    • egg whites at room temperature - 4
    • granulated sugar - ¾ cup
    • almond extract - ¾ teaspoon
    • sliced almonds - ½ cup
    • bourbon vanilla sugar or turbinado sugar - 2 teaspoons
    • fresh (whole mixed berries, whatever types you prefer - 1 - 2 cups)

    Instructions

    Honey Custard

    1. Heat the milk over low heat in a small saucepan until hot but not boiling. Meanwhile, thoroughly whisk the egg yolks, honey, and salt together in a small bowl. Then whisk in the cornstarch.
    2. To temper the eggs, slowly whisk one third of the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan with the hot milk and gently cook over medium-low heat. Keep whisking steadily, until the mixture begins to thicken, it will take a few minutes but once it starts to thicken it will happen quickly. Once this happens, allow the mixture to bubble up for roughly 1 minute. You may need to stop whisking for a moment to check if it is bubbling.
    3. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Then whisk in the butter until it fully melts.
    4. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Can keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    Cake

    1. Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans by greasing them and lining them with parchment circles. Center an oven rack and preheat the oven to 350°F.
    2. In a small bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk the ingredients by hand to ensure they are well mixed.
    3. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and brown sugar together on medium speed until light, fluffy and smooth (about 5 minutes), scraping the sides of the bowl a couple of times.
    4. Slowly add the egg yolks two at a time, blending well between additions.
    5. Combine the milk and the vanilla in a separate measuring cup. Turn the speed down to low, stir in the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. After each addition, mix until just barely blended and stop and scrape the bowl by hand.
    6. Divide the thick batter between the prepared pans and spread it evenly out to the edges of the pans. The batter is incredibly thick and can be challenging to spread, it will just barely cover the bottom of each pan. Set the pans aside while you prepare the meringue topping.

    Meringue Topping

    1. To make the topping, put the egg whites and salt into the clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.Whip on low speed until the eggs begin to become frothy.
    2. Gradually increase the speed to medium-high, whipping until the whites form soft foamy peaks.
    3. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the granulated sugar in a steady stream. Raise the mixer speed again to medium-high and continue whipping until the whites just begin to hold firm, glossy peaks. Fold in the almond extract.
    4. Spread even amounts of the meringue on top of the cake batter and sprinkle with the sliced almonds and vanilla bourbon or turbinado sugar.
    5. Place the cakes in the middle of the oven and bake until the tops are lightly browned and the cakes have shrunk just slightly away from the sides of the pan, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the cakes to cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before removing them from the pans. The meringue topping will puff up (and might become uneven) while baking, don't worry things will settle down as the cake cools. And the peaks and valleys are what gives this cake personality.

    Assembly

    1. Place one of the cake layers, meringue side up, onto a cake stand or plate. I used the more uneven layer as the base.
    2. Spread the honey custard directly onto the top of the base layer. Top with berries as desired. Use the berries to fill in the gaps and make an even surface for the top layer to rest on. (I didn't use strawberries in the middle as I didn't want to chop them up, which made for too uneven of a surface.)
    3. Carefully place the second layer on top, meringue side up. Top with beautiful berries, as desired.
    4. Serve promptly or refrigerate until ready to serve. This cake should last in the refrigerator for 2-3 days but, of course, looks and tastes best on the day it is prepared.

    Notes

    Recipe adapted from Blitz Torte by Julie Richardson, Vintage Cakes. FYI, buy this book...it is beautiful and the recipes are amazing. Vintage Cakes: Timeless Recipes for Cupcakes, Flips, Rolls, Layer, Angel, Bundt, Chiffon, and Icebox Cakes for Today's Sweet Tooth

    Need help? Hot tip?

    Find Baking the Goods on Instagram & Pinterest, or let's chat about how you can work with me.

     

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    1. Kate Leahy says

      June 25, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      I am so glad I was able to actually sample this cake! Thank you for sharing it with us. What a great recipe. Nothing was too sweet, and you made it look like it came together effortlessly. I would put it on a pedestal, too.

      Reply
      • Becky Sue says

        June 25, 2014 at 9:49 pm

        Hi Kate! You are so sweet, I will share with you anytime. I am so glad you liked it. Thank you for sharing all of those beautiful baked goods you brought, they were all perfection. Let me know if you make this cake, I'd love to hear what you think of the recipe. 😀

        Reply
    2. Aysegul says

      June 21, 2014 at 4:55 am

      This looks yummy.. Beautiful pictures and easy instructions...
      Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Becky Sue says

        June 23, 2014 at 7:24 am

        Thank you, Aysegul. Your site is beautiful. I can't wait to try some of your recipes!

        Reply
    3. Jenni B. says

      June 20, 2014 at 1:04 pm

      Gorgeous! You are an incredible food stylist. I can't wait to make this one.

      Reply
      • Becky Sue says

        June 23, 2014 at 7:23 am

        Thanks Jenni! Let me know what you think of the recipe when you make it. It would be amazing with the Mt. Hood strawberries. 😀

        Reply
    4. CakePants says

      June 19, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      Absolutely beautiful! I love cakes that look like they're meant to be eaten and enjoyed, not just looked at but never touched. This sounds delicious, and your mock cake/dating profile is hilarious, especially the part about not being afraid of being put on a pedestal, haha

      Reply
      • Becky Sue says

        June 19, 2014 at 9:39 pm

        Taste over looks any day. Ha! Glad you liked the dating profile....it seems like a pretty solid list of criteria, right? ;-D

        Reply

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