On a Christmas vacation last year, I was lucky enough to try the iconic Sacher Torte and after reading so much about it being dry and overhyped, I can happily say I disagreed with both those assessments. The cake is soft (it’s not supposed to be overly moist), the apricot jam is a nice contrast to the sweet glaze and the experience of eating it in one of Austria’s oldest coffee houses makes it worth your while. I came back determined to make it at home and I’m really happy with the way it turned out. It’s not difficult to make, it just has a few steps and some waiting time in between each. I hope you’ll try it!

I researched Sacher Torte endlessly before finally attempting it myself. Created in 1832 by a young apprentice chef called Franz Sacher, this cake has been the subject of court cases and many, many Instagram posts. My favourite deep-dive was by The Guardian that analyses every ingredient used in different versions and why. After a whiiiiile, I settled on an 8-inch cake based on a recipe for a larger cake from Also The Crumbs Please and I liked the first attempt but I knew I wanted to do two things differently the next time. Use more apricot jam in the center because I felt it didn’t look or taste distinct enough as a layer, and try out the more authentic but fussier glaze from the Original Sacher Torte.

For more apricot flavour, I used a thicker layer of jam in the center and then made the traditional melted jam glaze for the top and sides of the cake. This way I felt you could actually see the jam after slicing the cake. I did come across some other recipes that used the same method and I’m not sure if it’s entirely authentic or not, but it worked out well.

And now about the chocolate glaze! The glaze I made the first time is a quick one with chocolate and butter melted together and spread over the cake with minimal handling so it remains as smooth as possible. It tastes yum of course but is also very familiar and I wanted to try a slightly different one. Most recipes use this glaze or a ganache because they’re both easier than the original, which is a hot sugar syrup to which you add chocolate and stir till melted. This glaze hardens very very quickly because sugar sets almost immediately, so it’s a lot more difficult to get a smooth finish. My cake certainly wasn’t the most refined looking but it sets to a crackly consistency and gives the cake a little something extra. The other reason many recipes don’t use this glaze is its inevitably very sweet because of the sugar syrup. Buuuuut I just used unsweetened chocolate and problem solved.

The cake itself is a classic sponge with eggs separated, whites beaten till stiff and a gentle hand while stirring it all together. It also includes melted chocolate so it’s firmer and denser than a sponge without, but still very soft and once it absorbs the jam, it also becomes more moist. The traditional Sacher Torte is served with whipped cream but quite honestly, I didn’t find it necessary with this homemade version. The one served in the cafe is colder and therefore the cake is also more dry, which I think is why it comes with a generous portion of cream!

You will need to set aside a whole day for this cake because first you wait for it to cool, then you glaze it with the jam and wait for that to dry, then you add the chocolate glaze and let that set completely. I thought the final cake was delicious and while not identical, it was very similar to what I ate in Austria even though I made some changes. I’ve done a lot of cake nerd-ing here but if you have fun with different kinds of cakes and their techniques, I think you’ll enjoy making this!

Please read the recipe notes before beginning.

Sacher Torte

Soft chocolate sponge filled and covered with apricot jam plus a crackly chocolate glaze

Prep Time: 45

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 1 25

Makes: 8 small slices

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Ingredients

For the sponge

85 gms dark chocolate (55%), finely chopped
1/2 cup caster sugar (95 gms)
6 tbsps butter (85 gms), at room temperature
1 and 1/2 tsps vanilla extract
4 eggs, at room temperature (integral to the recipe, I can't suggest substitutes)
1/2 cup cake flour, sifted (60 gms; see notes)
1/4 tsp salt if using unsalted butter

For the jam layer

170 gms apricot jam (divided into 1/3 cup (110 gms) & 1/4 cup (65 gms); see notes for more)
2 tbsps dark rum, optional but recommended

For the chocolate glaze

1/2 cup caster sugar (95 gms)
1/4 cup water (60 ml)
75 gms bitter chocolate (at least 90% dark; see notes), finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 175 C. Grease an 8-inch springform tin and set aside.
Make the sponge cake. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 10-second increments or in a double boiler until smooth. Don't overheat the chocolate, stir to melt down any lumps. Set aside to cool.
In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and half of the sugar (1/4 cup) with a hand mixer on medium speed until pale and creamy. Add the vanilla and beat to combine.
Now separate the eggs, adding the yolks to a small bowl, and the whites to another larger mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl for later. Take care that no yolk gets in with the whites.
To the butter and sugar, add the yolks one at a time, beating briefly after each to combine. Add the melted chocolate and beat again to combine until creamy.
Now beat the whites (either with the same rinsed and dried hand mixer or use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment) for 1 minute on medium-high speed until foamy. Add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar and mix on high for 3 to 4 minutes until stiff peaks form when you lift out the beater. See photos below.
Fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture in three additions. Be gentle so the whites don't deflate entirely, fold in one direction only and use a silicon spatula for ease.
Finally, add the sifted flour in two additions and fold again to combine gently until no lumps remain. In the absence of baking powder, a sponge relies on air beaten into the batter to help the cake rise properly. So don't beat it too vigorously.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smoothen the top and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool for half an hour, then remove the sides of the springform pan and let the cake cool completely at room temperature. It will be about an inch tall, it's not a very large cake. The top may look slightly 'crumpled' because the cake falls a little as it cools.
Make the jam layer. Add 1/3 cup of the apricot jam (remove any seeds) into a small saucepan along with the rum. Heat on low, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Sieve into a small bowl to remove any large pieces of fruit.
Now slice the cooled cake in half with a long serrated knife like a bread knife. Lift off the top half and spread 1 tablespoon of the melted jam all over the lower half which will moisten the surface. Now spread the remaining 1/4 cup of thick, non-melted jam over this.
Cover with the top half of the cake, press down gently and then spread the remaining melted jam all over the top and sides using a blunt knife or small spatula, making sure it's a very thin layer all around otherwise it won't dry. If you have any melted jam leftover, that's ok, just refrigerate it to use on toast the next day!
Let the cake rest at room temperature for about 2 hours, or until the jam on the top and sides feels dry to the touch. This is important so that when you pour the warm chocolate glaze, the jam doesn't melt and mix with the chocolate.
Place the cake on a wire rack with a tray underneath before you make the glaze.
Make the chocolate glaze (see notes for an alternate, easier glaze). Add the sugar and water in a small saucepan on low heat. Stir constantly and bring to a boil. Let the syrup boil for 4 to 5 minutes then pour into a heat-proof bowl. Let it cool for a couple of minutes until still warm, but not boiling hot. In the meantime, add some boiling water to the empty saucepan.
Add the chocolate gradually to the syrup stirring as you go. Be gentle and once all the chocolate has melted, stop stirring. The glaze should coat the back of the spoon. If it seems too thick and not spreadable, add a couple of spoons of the hot water from the saucepan (which will also now have some residual sugar in it) to help thin it out.
Pour the glaze immediately over the top of the cake in a circular motion, letting it drip over the sides. Working as quickly as you can and with very few strokes, use a long metal spatula to spread the glaze in an even layer over the top and sides. This glaze sets almost instantly so don't spread it too much or it will look more gritty than smooth. My cake wasn't the most refined looking and it takes some practice so don't worry, it's going to taste great either way 🙂
Let the cake rest at room temperature. The glaze will darken and set and feel firm to the touch in about 2 hours. It will have a crackly yet soft consistency once sliced. Cut into 8 pieces and serve with whipped cream if you like! Sacher Torte tastes better the next day, but I do think the glaze consistency is best on day one.
Ideally, store the cake at room temperature in an airtight tin (3 to 4 days). However, in humid weather, it is better to store it in the fridge (about a week) and then let individual slices soften a little before eating. This will also soften the glaze and it won't be crackly anymore but still delicious of course. Happy baking!

Notes

*Cake flour makes a softer cake compared to using all-purpose flour. To make your own cake flour, measure 1/2 cup (60 gms) all-purpose flour and then take out 1 tbsp of it. Replace with 1 tbsp of cornflour/cornstarch, then sift the flour and cornflour very well and use in the recipe as written.

*Use a good quality apricot jam that has less/no added sugar and is high on fruit. This guarantees the best flavour and also makes sure the cake isn't too sweet once the chocolate glaze is added. I used Bhuira apricot jam. The measurements listed here are after I weighed the jam on my kitchen scale, however it might vary a little depending on brand, amount of fruit etc. I liked using a combination of thicker and melted jam (read the post above for more) but traditionally, the filling and topping are both melted jam.

*I recommend a very bitter or unsweetened chocolate in the glaze so it doesn't become too sweet with the syrup. You can also use a mix of unsweetened (50 gms) and 75% dark chocolate (25 gms) like I did. I would have liked it even with all unsweetened chocolate. I wouldn't recommend using a chocolate that's less than 75% dark.

*Prep time does not include cooling / setting time

*Cake batter adapted slightly from Also The Crumbs Please where you will also find an alternate, easier glaze which I tried and liked. The directions are clear and the only change I made was to halve the amounts of butter and chocolate for a smaller 8-inch cake. I did notice that once the cake was covered in a box, the glaze lost its matte appearance and become glossy and melty. I felt the one from the Original Sacher Torte recipe, which I made here, was more interesting and maintained its texture at room temperature, even if it's a little more finicky to make.

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