Sacher-Torte
(Sachertorte, Sacher Torte, Sacher Cake)
The original Sacher-Torte is the most famous Austrian cake. It is a classic, layered chocolate sponge cake that is thinly coated with high-quality apricot jam and topped with chocolate icing. Sacher-Torte is said to taste the best when accompanied by a small cloud of unsweetened whipped cream on the side.
It was invented in 1832 by Franz Sacher, a pastry chef for Prince Clemens Lothar Wensel Metternich, the State Chancellor of Austria at the time. The prince wanted a new cake, and Sacher, 16 years old at the time, obliged him by creating something new from ingredients that were readily available in the kitchen.
Suffice to say, the cake was a huge hit, and Franz's son Eduard opened a hotel called Sacher in 1876, serving the popular cake up to this day. Today, almost every coffee house in Vienna has its own version of the cake, but no two cakes are quite alike. Read more
In order to avoid confusion, it is recommended to look for the official Sacher chocolate seal on top of the cake, which can only be found on the Original Sacher, produced by Hotel Sacher in a quantity of approximately 360,000 cakes per year. Interestingly, from 1954 to 1963, Hotel Sacher went through a legal battle with their rival, Demel cafe, and the court proceedings focused on which one had the right to call its Sacher-Torte the original.
The issues that were discussed included whether the cake should have an additional layer of apricot jam in the middle, and whether to use margarine or butter. Following a long seven-year dispute, the parties have reached an agreement—and the original Sacher-Torte is now only found at the Hotel Sacher.
Nevertheless, Demel version, which does not have the additional layer of apricot jam in the middle, is almost equally popular.
Pairing tips
Wiener melange
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Recipe variations
Sachertorte
READY IN 2hWith the original recipe being kept a secret and exclusive to Hotel Sacher, according to the Austrian Tourist Board, this is the go-to for sachertorte. The recipe makes 12 to 16 servings and is traditionally served with whipped cream.
Simple Sachertorte
READY IN 1h 35minThis simplified version of the famous sachertorte is adapted from the Guardian column of the famous Australian chef Dan Lepard. Unlike the original, the almonds are also added to the chocolate sponge which is cut into three or four layers instead of the original two.
Sacher-Torte Authentic recipe
With the original recipe being kept a secret and exclusive to Hotel Sacher, according to the Austrian Tourist Board, this is the go-to for sachertorte. The recipe makes 12 to 16 servings and is traditionally served with whipped cream.
WHERE TO EAT The best Sacher-Torte in the world (according to food experts)
