Hazelnut And Chocolate Layer Cake (Hungarian Esterhazy Torte)

Here is a clean, complete, authentic recipe for the famous Hungarian Esterházy Torte — this version uses hazelnuts + chocolate for a rich, luxurious flavor.
(Traditional uses walnuts, but hazelnut–chocolate is a beloved modern variation.)


🇭🇺🍰 Hazelnut & Chocolate Esterházy Torte

(Chocolate–Hazelnut Layer Cake)

Ingredients

Nut Cake Layers (6–8 thin layers)

  • 8 egg whites
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups finely ground hazelnuts
  • 4 tbsp flour
  • Pinch of salt

Chocolate–Hazelnut Cream

  • 8 egg yolks
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup finely ground hazelnuts
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla

White Glaze (Esterházy pattern)

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tbsp hot water
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Chocolate Decoration

  • 2–3 tbsp melted dark chocolate

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Make the cake layers

  1. Preheat oven to 170°C / 340°F.
  2. Beat egg whites + pinch of salt until stiff.
  3. Slowly add sugar; beat until glossy and firm.
  4. Gently fold in hazelnuts + flour.
  5. Draw 6–8 circles (22–24 cm) on parchment.
  6. Spread a thin, even layer of batter on each circle.
  7. Bake each layer 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden.
  8. Cool completely.

2. Make the chocolate–hazelnut cream

  1. Whisk egg yolks + sugar + milk in a saucepan.
  2. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until thick like custard.
  3. Remove from heat; stir in cocoa + vanilla + hazelnuts.
  4. Cool completely.
  5. Beat softened butter, then mix in the cooled custard until smooth and creamy.

3. Assemble the cake

  1. Place first cake layer on a plate.
  2. Spread a thin layer of chocolate-hazelnut cream.
  3. Repeat with all layers.
  4. Reserve a small amount of cream for the sides.
  5. Smooth the sides neatly.
  6. Leave the top plain—it gets glazed.

4. Make and add the white glaze

  1. Mix powdered sugar + hot water + lemon juice until thick and pourable.
  2. Pour over the top of the cake; smooth quickly.

5. Add the classic Esterházy chocolate pattern

  1. Pipe thin circles of melted chocolate on top of the white glaze.
  2. Drag a toothpick from center to edges (and back) to create the spiderweb pattern.

6. Chill

Refrigerate at least 4 hours, but overnight is best.
This allows the layers to soften and the flavors to deepen.


RESULT

  • Thin hazelnut layers
  • Rich chocolate-hazelnut cream
  • Smooth white glaze
  • Iconic Esterházy pattern

Elegant, luxurious, and unforgettable — a true Hungarian classic.


If you want:
✔️ Traditional Walnut Esterházy Torte
✔️ No-bake version
✔️ Gluten-free version

Just tell me!

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