Chocolate Plum Walnut Torte

From: Walnut Marketing Board

Current Rating: rating pending

Serves 12

This is a delicious, dense dark chocolate torte that uses dried plums to add moisture and reduce the fat content. It is best served at room temperature with a small dollop of freshly whipped cream.

Ingredients

¾ cup dried plums (4 ounces)
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup boiling water
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
⅓ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup chopped California walnuts, divided
¾ cup California walnut halves

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly coat an 8-inch round spring-form pan with cooking spray. Place a glass baking dish (any size) half-filled with water on the lower rack of your oven.
In a small bowl, combine plums, chocolate and water. Let stand 5 minutes until plums soften and chocolate melts. Stir.
In a food processor, combine plum mixture, flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar and salt. Whirl until nearly smooth.
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand whisk or mixer to beat eggs and granulated sugar until thick and foamy. Stir in half the plum mixture. With a spatula, gently fold in remaining plum mixture and ½ cup chopped walnuts. Do not over mix. Pour into prepared pan.
Arrange walnut halves evenly around edge. Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup chopped walnuts in center. Bake 25-30 minutes or until the center feels set when gently touched. Cool completely before slicing. Serve room temperature or chilled.

Rosemary Mark for the Walnut Marketing Board