Orange Chocolate Hazelnut Tort with Hazelnut Caramel Topping

by Susan on November 14, 2013

Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. And I might have gone a little over the top here but boy, is it awesome! And the holidays are coming up so it’s time to have some fun. You are never going to hear me tell you to have a raw dessert for breakfast but every once in a while, it’s fun to indulge a bit.
Hazelnuts, cacao and orange, oh my! The crazy thing is that this beautiful torte is relatively easy to throw together and will keep well so you can make it ahead of time if you are entertaining. The chocolate layer is an orange-cacao ganache studded with hazelnuts and the top layer is a orange caramel studded with hazelnuts! It is orange-chocolate-hazelnut heaven.
As we enter into the holiday season, it’s fun to have some extra special recipes in your repertoire and this one will fit the bill perfectly. 

Sweet Potato Casserole

4 C sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 Macintosh apples, cored and sliced
1 C walnuts, ground
1/2 C pecans, chopped
2 orange, juiced
1/2 cup dates, soaked
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp Celtic salt
1/4 C raw honey

Place half of the walnuts, sweet potatoes, apples, orange juice, dates, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a food processor and puree. Pour into a serving dish. 

In a separate bowl, toss the remaining walnuts with the pecans, salt, and honey. Scatter over the top of the puree.
If desired, warm in a dehydrator or low oven prior to serving.