Mocha Torte – Little House by the Dunes

by Heather Harris Brady

This is a variation of what is purported to be Queen Elizabeth’s favorite tea cake. It’s a very easy and quick dessert to make. Just throw it together a day or two before, and then dress it up or down as needed. This is a fantastic choice for guests who aren’t into super-sweet, sugary desserts. The key ingredient is McVitie’s Wheat Biscuits, which my major grocery shelves in the International aisle:

I know, wheat cookies – weird. But if you are anything like me you will quickly acquire a taste for them – especially in combination with chocolate!

Mocha Torte, Makes one 5″ x 8″ torte (Approx. 8 slices)

• 1 8-oz package of high-quality chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli 60%)
• 1 c. heavy whipping cream
• 2 T. butter
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 8 oz. package McVitie’s Wheat Biscuits
• 1 c. of coffee with extra cream (use your favorite coffee here)
• 1 pint of fresh berries

Pour the heavy cream into a saucepan and put it on medium heat. Add the chocolate chips and butter.

Add the butter and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.

Set the chocolate mixture aside to cool to room temperature. Line a loaf pan with two layers of aluminum foil, leaving an overhang, and set that aside. Make up the cup of coffee and break the McVitie’s into pieces about the size of a quarter.

Now spread a thin layer of chocolate over the bottom of the foil-lined pan. Cover that with 1/3 of the crumbled cookies, and spoon the creamy coffee over the cookies. I drizzle rather than drench, but how much coffee you add is up to you! Continue until you’ve used up the cookies, ending with a layer of chocolate on top. (I’m sorry I didn’t get pictures of the layering, I got carried away #badblogger.)

Put the cake into the refrigerator until set. When the top is set you can cover it lightly. Take the cake out of the fridge about an hour before you’re ready to serve it. Lift up on the top of the foil, pull the cake up out of the pan, and peel off the foil.

Cut the cake into 1″ slices and serve with fresh berries.

Other Little House on the Dunes fall favorites –

2012: Farmhouse Cornbread
2013: Cheese Fondue
2014: Brioche Coffeecake
2015: Apple Dumplings
2016: Pumpkin Cake – Stir and Bake