Gluten Free Pecan Torte with Maple Cream
Today’s recipe of the day is a delicious, I-can’t-stop-eating-this type of cake. It’s a nut lover’s dream and it also happens to be gluten-free. However, gluten fans can still enjoy it since it’s flourless and they don’t have to worry about running to the store and buying one of the 1000 types of gluten free flours I mentioned in the Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe.
And on top of all that, the cake itself requires three ingredients: pecans, eggs, and sugar.
Simple? You bet.
One of the steps involves whipping the egg yolks really well…
Pale yellow is the color you want. Crumbly, finely processed pecans are added in.
Whipping the egg whites is not difficult. Just be sure to use clean beaters and not to get any egg yolks into the mixture.
Fold in yolk mixture
After baking…
My fresh-picked strawberries all lined up…
PECAN TORTE RECIPE AND INGREDIENTS
*adapted from this recipe
Cake
1 1/4 cups pecans, finely processed (not to a paste, though)
4 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup sugar
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter bottom of 9″ springform pan.
Process pecans finely until resembling flour but be careful not to over-process into a paste. In a bowl, whip egg yolks for a few minutes until thick and pale yellow. Gradually add in sugar and whisk until thoroughly incorporated. Add in processed pecans. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into the yolk/pecan mixture. Pour batter into the pan.
Bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Loosen edges with knife and remove sides of pan, being careful not to tear apart cake. Cool completely.
Cream
8oz cream cheese
3 – 4 T maple syrup
Pods of 2 vanilla beans
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 – 2 cups sliced strawberries
Dusting of powdered sugar
In a bowl, combine cream cheese and maple syrup. Whisk well. Scrape the insides of two vanilla beans and add insides to the cream. (Discard the shells) Mix well. Add vanilla.
Spread cream on top of cake (and down sides – optional). Arrange strawberry slices on top. Dust with powdered sugar.
