A year ago, I tried making the famous Sacher torte for my mother’s birthday. It’s a dense chocolate cake with apricot filling that hails from Vienna. I did tons of research and worked much harder than usual to get the cake just right.
Epic fail, everyone. The glaze was clumpy and the cake was just way too dry. It was so not worth all that time and effort. Luckily, time passed and I decided I wanted to try again, but this time I did it on my terms. That means the cake became a brownie and the glaze was a much simpler version of the process that did me in a year ago.
It’s cliché to say that time heals, but clichés are often quite true. I’ve had friendships end, important ones, without really understanding what happened. It’s hurtful, but stepping back and getting both time and perspective can really help.
One of my favorite short stories is by my favorite author, Edith Wharton. She wrote a story called “Roman Fever” that I’ve read more times than I can possibly say. It starts a little slow, but if you make it through to the end, I promise it will be rewarding. Anyway, it’s about two older women who have all these friendship issues even though they should be well past it. One of the best lines from the story is, “So these two ladies visualized each other, each through the wrong end of her little telescope.”
We’re always looking at other people that way, through the wrong end of whatever telescope we happen to be peering through. That’s how friendships end, why people hurt other people, and why it’s so hard for everyone to get along. Very few people can see inside the real version of ourselves to get who we really are. When we find those people, we should hold on to them, because they’re rare.
One of the people who gets me, and who always will, is my mother. We’re not alike in a lot of ways, but in the important ways, we are. On the surface, we look and behave differently, but we have the same fundamental views on the things that matter. So the least my mother deserves is a cake on her birthday.
My mom is a pianist (and a darn good one), so that’s why I piped some music flair on her cake. My children call her “Baba,” the Russian word for “grandmother,” so that’s the B you see. She likes Sacher torte, so I gave her my best version of it at this point. Maybe someday I’ll do it the traditional way, but this year, she got the brownie-fied version.
A year ago, I couldn’t have thought of even trying something close to this cake again, but hey, time helps. All we need is the space to think and read amazing short stories and everything is healed. So happy birthday to my mom, who is the best. I love her more than I love brownies!
Preheat the oven to 350. Line three 9-inch round pans with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, mix the cocoa into the melted butter until it dissolves. Add the sugar and stir again. When the sugar is incorporated, mix in the vanilla and eggs. Add the salt and flour, mixing until just combined.
Evenly distribute the batter among the three pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes until set. Cool completely.
When the cakes are cool, make the glaze. Melt the chocolate in a saucepan with the butter and 2 tablespoons of water. When it's melted, take the pot off the heat and stir in the powdered sugar. Add the remaining tablespoons of water and stir until smooth.
Allow the glaze to thicken for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want it to be able to pour it, but not have it be too thin.
When the glaze is thick enough, stack the brownie layers carefully, spreading a thin layer of apricot jam in between each layer.
Pour the glaze onto the center of the cake. Using a knife or offset spatula, carefully spread the glaze to the edges, letting some drip over the sides.
I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.	
My dad just had a birthday, so I made his favorite: German chocolate cake. And like the dutiful daughter I am, I didn’t work crazy hard on it because my dad told me not to. My parents are always telling me to take it easier.
While I was baking this cake, I realized that I don’t talk about my dad much on this blog, which is odd. My parents are a huge part of my life. We live close to one another, so I see them almost daily. And my dad explains a lot about who I am.
So hard to answer a question for which there’s no good answer. The reason is, of course, because I just never got around to it. And now that I have, I’m embarrassed at how long it took.
I mean, it’s a Butterfinger. They’re so happy. Why would anyone ever leave them out on purpose? Especially when they can go into brownie bites? And I’m not talking about those mediocre brownie bites you buy at Costco in the container. Nuh-uh. These blow those sad little stand-ins for a baked good out of the water, and then some.
It’s Sunday night. Translation: I’m a little cranky. Sunday is errand day, a time to get things together before the onslaught of the week begins. Also, I’m a bit peeved because my husband has tomorrow off for Columbus Day, as do most of the people who work in the DC area. Not me. Nope. I’m working a full day tomorrow!
Sorry, I’m gloomy. When this kind of mood strikes, only one thing can help. Lots and lots of peanut butter. In a bar. With chocolate.
Glad you were able to get the torte right this time, Mir! It looks amazing! I love the layers and how full of chocolate this is. What a gorgeous dessert, and I’m sure it tastes SO good!
Thanks, Gayle! It is definitely full of chocolate. Even I found it to be intense, and I have a very high tolerance!
Yay for getting it right this time – it looks worth it. I am almost glad to hear that even expert bakers like yourself get thing wrong sometimes 😉
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Mir, this torte is stunning!!! and I love this post! I agree, time heals and stepping back is sometimes needed, especially when you need to take some time, look at the situation differently and gain some perspective. you and your mother sound like me and my mother. I love my mother so much. . in a lot of ways, I wish I was more like her, but like you said, we are the same where it matters most. I love the music notes on the torte!! so beautiful!!! I hope you guys enjoyed this cake together!!! have a great weekend, Mir!
That is one beautiful brownie torte! I’m sure your mom will love that on her birthday. I love the musical flair and how cool is that your mom is a pianist!
I loe the layers and the chocolate covering the top! mmm absolutely amazing! hope you have a great weekend girl! 😉
I’m so glad it turned out well, yay!! looks gorgeous! Wish your mom a very happy birthday Mir! 🙂 Have a greak weekend!
A very big happy birthday to your mom, I’m sure she can feel all the love that you’ve put in the cake!
Mir – This is so sweet. I adore Edith Wharton’s writing, but haven’t read this short story. I need to know. Isn’t it so true how misunderstandings and grudges can destroy good friendships. It’s sad. I’m glad you have your mom. She sounds like a sweet woman who is very deserving of this special torte.
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