RASPBERRY HAZELNUT TORTE

Steps:

• For the cake: Grease, then line the base of two 8-inch cake pans with baking paper.
• Then grease the baking paper which is lining the pans.
• Mix together the hazelnuts, lemon zest and breadcrumbs, and set aside.
• Using a clean dry bowl, beat the egg yolks with the superfine sugar until thick and lemony-yellow in color.
• In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff, then fold them gently into the egg yolks.
• Lastly, fold the nut mixture gently through the eggs.
• Divide this mixture between the two prepared cake pans.
• Bake in a pre-heated 350-degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Cakes will be done when the top feels ‘just firm’.
• For the filling: Whip the cream until stiff.
• Add superfine sugar, vanilla essence, and rum (or liqueur).
• Beat a few seconds more until combined.
• Using a fork, roughly crush the raspberries, then gently fold into the cream.
• Place one of the cakes on a serving dish.
• Spread a thick layer of raspberry cream over the cake.
• Top with the second cake, and spread the top and sides with the remaining raspberry cream.
• Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, and a maximum of 12 hours before serving.
• For a change, try this with ground walnuts and strawberries in place of hazelnuts and raspberries.