Streamline Hungarian Torte

This streamlined Hungarian torte is a recipe handed down from my mother, it is a family favorite requested at all gatherings and pot lucks.

Preparation Details

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 32

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped walnuts
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• ¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 ⅓ cups unsalted butter or margarine, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• 4 egg yolks
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (16 ounce) jar apricot preserves
• 4 egg whites
• ⅔ cup white sugar

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 11×17 inch jelly roll pan.
2. Combine walnuts, 3/4 cup sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl; set aside.
3. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water in a small bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 10 minutes. Stir yeast mixture, butter, sour cream, and egg yolks together in a large bowl. Gradually stir in flour until dough becomes too stiff to use a spoon. Knead dough in the bowl using hands until it becomes smooth, about 5 minutes. Divide dough into three equal pieces, form into balls, cover, and set aside to rest for 15 minutes.
4. Roll one dough balls between 2 sheets of waxed paper to fit the jelly roll pan; transfer to the prepared baking pan. Spread with 3/4 walnut mixture. Repeat rolling with second dough ball; place over walnut layer in the pan. Evenly spread apricot preserves over dough. Repeat rolling with third dough ball; place on top of apricot preserves.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until top of torte is golden brown, about 40 minutes.
6. Beat egg whites in a glass or metal bowl to soft peaks. Gradually add 2/3 cup sugar while continuing to beat to stiff peaks. Evenly spread meringue over top of torte; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 walnut mixture.
7. Bake in the heated oven for 15 minutes more. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Trim edges for a cleaner presentation. Serve at room temperature.