Dobos Torte (also known as Dobos Cake) is a classic Hungarian dessert created by József C. Dobos in the late 19th century. It’s a rich, elegant cake made of multiple layers of sponge cake, filled with chocolate buttercream, and topped with a distinctive caramel-glazed top. Traditionally, the top caramel layer is cut into individual wedges and placed decoratively on the cake.
🍰 Dobos Torte – Key Features
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Layers: 5 to 7 thin sponge cake layers
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Filling: Silky chocolate buttercream, often made with cocoa or melted chocolate and butter
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Topping: Hard caramel glaze, typically cut into wedges before being set
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Decoration: Often with piped buttercream and sometimes nuts (hazelnuts or almonds) on the sides
🧁 Classic Recipe Overview
Sponge Cake Layers
Ingredients:
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6 large eggs, separated
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150g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
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120g (1 cup) cake flour
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
Steps:
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Beat egg yolks with sugar until pale and thick.
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Beat egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into yolk mixture.
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Gently fold in sifted flour and vanilla.
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Spread thin layers (about 1/8 inch) onto parchment and bake each layer individually (190°C/375°F for 5–7 minutes).
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Cool on racks.
Chocolate Buttercream
Ingredients:
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200g (7 oz) dark chocolate, melted and cooled
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200g (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temp
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150g (3/4 cup) powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Optional: 1 egg yolk for richness
Steps:
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Beat butter until fluffy; gradually beat in sugar.
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Add vanilla, then melted chocolate; beat until smooth.
Caramel Topping
Ingredients:
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150g (3/4 cup) sugar
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2 tbsp water
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1 tsp lemon juice
Steps:
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Heat sugar, water, and lemon juice until amber-colored.
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Quickly pour onto a sponge cake layer; spread evenly.
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While warm, score and cut into wedges (use an oiled knife).
🎂 Assembly
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Stack cake layers with buttercream in between.
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Top with caramel wedges in a fan pattern.
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Frost sides with buttercream and optionally coat with crushed nuts.
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Chill before serving for clean slices.
Would you like a step-by-step recipe with measurements in cups/grams, or a modern twist on the Dobos Torte (e.g., cupcakes or deconstructed)?
