Vegan Sacher Torte

Sacher Torte is a famous Viennese cake invented in Austria by pastry chef Franz Sacher for the prince of Austria. Years later, the Sacher hotel was opened by Franz Sacher's son. The hotel soon became one of the finest in the world, and the only place that sells the original Sacher Torte. The recipe is top secret, and the authentic Sacher Tortes served at the hotel are labelled in chocolate with the name 'Sacher'. There are many, many versions of Sacher torte out their, in cafés and recipe books. The basis is chocolate spongecake, apricot jam filling, and chocolate icing. Theoretically, you could use any chocolate cake, apricot jam, and chocolate icing recipe, but more authentic versions will consists of a chocolate spongecake, the best quality apricot jam, and chocolate icing, and is often served with whipped cream. 

I have never made, or eaten, Sacher torte before, but I have always wanted to. So I decided to try a vegan, healthy version. I have no idea how authentic it is, but it was darn tasty. I began with a fudgey chocolate cake recipe, it wasn't exactly a 'spongecake' (no egg), but it contained applesauce for moisture and when combined with baking soda, it foams up a bit, think like chocolate mousse texture, so it creates a spongey, moist, and fudgey texture. The cake is whole wheat, virtually fat-free, and contains no refined sugars.

The apricot jam was a jam I found on sale at the grocery store that seemed of good quality and had no added sugar - it is sweetened with grape juice. I don't think I've ever had apricot jam before, but this one was very good and you would never guess it didn't have added sugar.

The chocolate icing was, in my opinion, the best part. I don't want to spoil things for my nexts posts which will feature the actual cake and icing recipes, but I enjoyed this frosting more than I enjoy eating chocolate mousse (too daiy-rich) or chocolate fudge frosting (too gritty with sugar), and it is actually a very healthy recipe!

In conclusion, this cake was very good and basically fat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and refined sugar free. It is sweetened with dates and agave - which is still a form of sugar, and not the best for you, but at least a better alternative than refined sugar. I made this cake for a friend studying pastry, who told me Sacher torte is his favorite type of cake.