Sacher Torte

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of three nine-inch or 10-inch pans (foil pans are good). Line the bottoms with waxed paper and grease the paper.

2. Step 2

   When separating the eggs, reserve two extra yolks for the frosting. Add salt to egg whites and beat until peaks just begin to firm. Add the sugar a little at a time, beating constantly. Beat a few more minutes till stiff and glossy.

3. Step 3

   Meanwhile, melt the chocolate and butter over hot water. Cool a little and add vanilla. Then add this to the yolks, stirring with a wire whisk. It will be thick.

4. Step 4

   Add a third of the whites to the chocolate mixture and stir well. Pour onto the remaining whites and sift in flour. Fold altogether with whisk, being careful not to overmix but not leaving any white lumps showing.

5. Step 5

   Pour into pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Turn onto rack and peel off the paper.

6. Step 6

   Make the frosting. Combine chocolate, cream, corn syrup and sugar in a small heavy pan and heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved and the chocolate is melted. Raise heat to medium and cook to 224 to 226 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer (soft ball). Using a small wire whisk, beat the hot mixture into the egg yolks. Cool and stir in vanilla.

7. Step 7

   When cake is cool, spread apricot preserves between layers and pour frosting over the cake, smoothing sides with spatula. Chill well. Serve cake at almost room temperature.