And even today it feels like a little luxury to sit down at an opulent coffeehouse with a slice of elegant Dobos torta. Refrigerate until serving. Emily grew up eating this, and it is fantastic! Dobosh torte, also known as drum torte or dobos torta, is a Hungarian sponge cake with seven layers of thin cake filled with rich chocolate buttercream, topped with caramel and sometimes coated with ground hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts, or almonds. Get our cookbook, free, when you sign up for our newsletter. He designed special wooden boxes to keep the cakes cool and perfectly intact during their journey, and the Dobos torta was regularly served at social events throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Hey guys! In New Orleans the Doberge cake is a layered cake usually filled with chocolate and lemon pudding and covered in butter cream or fondant. I wonder how József Dobos did it? Sprinkle with ground nuts of choice, if desired. The Dobos torta (which is often written phonetically as Dobosh torte outside of Hungary) has also inspired layered cakes as far away as America. Repeat with remaining layers and portions of filling, and finish with the glazed layer on top. Hamdi Cukraszda: Dobos torte - See 19 traveller reviews, 13 candid photos, and great deals for Budapest, Hungary, at Tripadvisor. Learn (and taste) the stories. Alternatively, you can bake as many layers at a time as you have 9-inch cake pans and reuse them to bake the rest of the batter. ), The Spruce Eats uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Dobos owned a very famous shop in Budapest specializing in gourmet products. Place the softened butter in the bowl of a mixer and whisk until light and fluffy. Here is a delicious sponge cake recipe all the way from Hungary! Fold in the egg whites in the mixture until all traces of white are gone. Dobos had a well-known specialty food shop in Budapest that sold everything from caviar to cake. thin layers of sponge cake filled with chocolate buttercream and topped with a caramel fan.This is an advanced recipes, and patience and time is key. Bakers did not figure out that cocoa butter was the secret ingredient in his smooth chocolate butter cream. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, cream the 8-ounces of butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Budapest’s first food tour, est. But it’s also at this point that you might realize that the Dobos has another amazing quality. Time, estimated: I made this cake lazily, with several long interruptions, over a span of 5 hours. Caramel & Cocoa: Dobos torte in Budapest A flagship of Hungarian patisserie, this famous cake was created by József Dobos in 1884. Melt the semi-sweet and unsweetened chocolates in a microwaveable bowl, stirring often. At least the way I enjoy my Dobos, eating the caramel slice is actually a sort of separate experience from eating the rest of the cake. The invention – admired by many, including Empress Elisabeth (Sissi) – was named Dobos after its creator. He was already a well-known and influential chef by 1876 when he opened a specialty gourmet shop in central Pest which sold an array of high-quality local foods and imported delicacies such as cheese, wine, caviar, and spices. To add fame and prestige to an already excellent cake, we must remember that the first ones to taste the Dobos were … Add the 2/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water to a small heavy saucepan. But their are two problems: Dobos means drummer in Hungarian not "like a drum" and please give us back Jozsef Dobos to us Hungarians because we are very proud of him. “They of course also tasted the latest novelty, after which another royal cheer erupted—this time in honor of the creator of the cake.” Afterwards, Dobos was made a purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court. Best eaten the day after you assemble it all but I find it is usually hard to wait. Our hands-on Baking Class, led by a pastry chef in the kitchen of Budapest’s oldest family-run bakery, teaches two quintessential Hungarian recipes. Whisk gently and heat to 120 F. Transfer to a mixing bowl and whip on high until stiff peaks form. Definitely worth a try. Dobos owned a far-famed shop in Budapest that specialized in gourmet foods generally: at a time when shipping food over distance was usually unreliable, his shop routinely featured as many as sixty … The Dobos torta is still popular in Hungary today—and also in Austria and other countries which were part of the Empire—but is not usually prepared at home because it is so labor-intensive (and really easy to buy a beautifully-prepared whole cake). The recipe, … Compared with the tall, intricately-decorated cakes of the time, the Dobos torta, which was simply flat with a smooth caramel top, looked downright minimalistic. Join our Sweet & Coffeehouse Walk! In Hungary, however, no matter how experimental a pastry chef gets with his Dobos torta, chocolate and caramel are always present. The Dobos Torte: Hungary’s Gift to the World The Dobos Torte is a Hungarian sponge cake layered with chocolate icing, topped with a crunchy layer of caramel. Since no one ever ate the caramel and it was a pain to make and cut, I changed it to chocolate! It was first made in 1885 and, with this, a recipe was developed with the intention of making a torte which could be kept for at least ten days with the cooling techniques of that time. Though I will post only one batch of the frostiing I usually d Place 1 cake layer on a cooling rack set over a pan to catch the drips. Start with the buttercream. Preheat oven to 200 C / Gas mark 6. Beat in the 4 eggs, one at a time. To learn how to make Dobos torta for yourself, join our Baking Class. Set aside to cool. Those that do—such as Auguszt, Gerbeaud, Daubner, Frőhlich, Szamos, and Centrál in Budapest—are treasures worth patronizing until you’ve had your fill of sweets. To serve, slice along the lines marked in the caramel glaze. It’s the distinctive presentation that has made the cake so famous. Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer. The combination of lemon and chocolate is wonderful and the frosting is very light. He “aimed to create a cake that would last longer than other pastries in an age when cooling techniques were limited”. They have a breakfast special that is a croissant and latte (or coffee, OJ or tea) for 950HUF which is less than $5! Dobos torte is a Hungarian sponge cake layered with chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel. The latte is very good (but I found the cinnamon syrup one to be overwhelming and strange). Dobos torta is served in nearly every cukrászda in the country, though many bakeries don’t make their Dobos torta in-house. Taste Hungary and The Tasting Table Budapest, Dobos Torta: Hungary’s Iconic Layered Beauty. The round sides of the cake are coated with ground hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts, or almonds. Named after its inventor, József Dobos, the Dobos torte is the ultimate Hungarian cake ambassador. Which European country will inspire your culinary journey tonight? The torte he developed, and named after himself, quickly became a local classic. © 2020 Copyright Dobos Torte is a Hungarian multilayered cake consisting of anywhere between 6 to 11 layers of spongecake filled with an intense, but super light, chocolate buttercream made like no other I have seen. Carolyn is one of Taste Hungary's co-founders, and also a food and travel writer who has authored two culinary guidebooks to Hungary. Soon afterwards, Dobos closed his shop. Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate, or in a 9-inch springform pan to use as a guide, and spread on 1/8-inch of filling. Dobos torte is a Hungarian layer cake consisting of 5 layers of sponge cake filled with rich chocolate buttercream and topped with crisp caramel wedges. Dobosh torte, also known as drum torte or dobos torta, is a Hungarian sponge cake with seven layers of thin cake filled with rich chocolate buttercream, topped with caramel, and sometimes coated with ground hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts, or almonds. debuted in 1885 at the National General Exhibition in Budapest, The Dobos torta “was born as a result of continuous experimentation on the part of the ever creative Dobos,” writes Éliás. Varosliget Cafe & Restaurant: Dobos torte!!! 2008! Over a gentle heat, in a large pan, heat sugar and 100ml (3½fl oz) water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Swirling the pan, continue to boil until the caramel becomes a golden brown. Our signature tour introduces local culinary and wine culture through classic flavors, unique wines, history, and stunning architecture. Traditionally it is topped with hard caramel fans. Gerbeaud is my go-to cafe in Budapest. In 1885 he showed the Hungarian dessert at the National General Exhibition—over 100 people staffed the pavilion and Queen Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph came by to sample the new creation. It's an elegant cake fit for a special occasion. Have ready two 25cm (10 in) cardboard circles. After removing from the oven, loosen the cake layer and immediately invert onto a cooling rack. Best Contribution to Wine & Spirits Tourism, Best Wine Tour Operator Winner in 2017 & 2018, Certificate of Excellence Winner (2011-2019), Food and Wine Experiences In The New Old World. 8-ounces butter (unsalted, room temperature), 4 large eggs (room temperature, lightly beaten), 1 pound butter (unsalted, room temperature), Garnish: ground nuts of choice (to sprinkle on top and sides of cake). And since he was born in Hungary and died in Hungary and he had his pastry shop in Hungary and he created Dobos Torte in Hungary I assume this makes him Hungarian. It is made up of eight (yes, eight!) https://www.homemaderecipesfromscratch.com/hungarian-dobos-torte-recipe Turn up heat and boil until it is a dark golden caramel. The hard caramel top is cut into individual slices (with a special Dobos torta knife) before it hardens, so each slice has a piece of caramel garnish. During Dobos’ time, his cake was much imitated by other patisseries in Budapest, but never successfully. Dobos torte was invented in Budapest in the 1880s by József Dobos, the owner of a gourmet deli, and premiered at … Tired of all of the bad imitations of his cake, Dobos donated his recipe to the Pastry and Honey-bread Makers’ Guild in 1906 so that all pastry chefs would have access to the true recipe. While you can get it year round, chestnuts are seasonal, so its flavors resonate most in autumn. The Dobos or drum torte is a Hungarian desert named for its creator and pastry chef Jozsef C. Dobos who is believed to have first made the confection for the National General Exhibition of Budapest in 1885. With fillings of poppy, walnut, apple, and plum jam, separated by five layers of sweet pastry, its flavors of tart, bitter, and sweet meld together... Homemade, flaky pogácsa is the quintessential Hungarian snack, eaten at all times of the day and on any occasion.For the best, many Budapesters swear by Daubner Cukrászda. It’s always a messy process—either involving violently poking the caramel slice with your knife, or just giving in and eating it with your fingers. Once you have that lovely slice of Dobos on a plate in front of you, that raises the question of how you actually eat the cake, as it’s not easy to slice into the hard caramel top. It was first introduced in 1885 at the National General Exhibition of Budapest. Place the 5 egg whites and 1 cup sugar in a double boiler over medium heat. In a large bowl, beat the 1 pound of butter on low for 2 minutes, then on medium for 3 minutes, and finally on high for 5 minutes. It's very pricey by Hungarian standards, but it's not bad at all by American standards. Stay informed about our special offers and new tours, products, and experiences! Dec 29, 2012 - This is a 7 layered cake and because of that it does take a while to make but it is oh so worth it. If I could time travel, I would love to go to the 1800s and give this man a well-deserved pat on the back. Weigh the batter, remembering to subtract for the weight of the bowl. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, 20 Beautiful Christmas Cakes to Make for the Holidays, Seven Sisters Cake (Ciasto Stefanka or Stefania Torta), Basic Hungarian Sponge Cake (Piskotatekercs) Recipe, Hungarian Esterházy Torte (Esterházy Torte), Hungarian Chocolate Mousse Cake (Sutemeny Rigo Jancsi), Serbian Multi-Layered Chocolate Cream Cake. The cake became such a sensation not only in Budapest, but throughout much of Europe, for several reasons. Dobos brought his cakes with him during his frequent travels in Europe, and shipping the cakes throughout the continent became an important part of his business. With a buttered knife, mark the glaze before it completely hardens into 16 equal wedges without cutting all the way through. The Dobos torta debuted in 1885 at the National General Exhibition in Budapest, where Dobos presided over an elegant pavilion created to showcase the torta, staffed by more than 100 people. Despite his success, Dobos did not have a happy ending to his life. Divide that number by 7—this is the number of ounces you will need for each pan in order to create even layers. Pozsonyi kifli: This is a variation of the bejgli, above. Invented by and named after Hungarian (some say he was Austrian) pastry chef Jozsef C. Dobos in 1884, the elegant Dobos torte is on par with another layered Hungarian dessert, sutemeny Rigo Jancsi. One of the great fad desserts of the 19th century, the Dobostorta, Dobos torta or torte (sometimes Anglicized as "Dobosh") was invented by the famous Hungarian confectioner Jozsef C. Dobos in 1884. Though many Hungarian patisseries prepare the Dobos in its classic form, modern bakeries also experiment and create versions that would have been unrecognizable to József Dobos. The shop was known for its elaborate window displays and house-made products, including his namesake cake (and his most important creation). Dobos Torte is an elaborate cake of Hungarian origin. Favorite Cafe in Budapest--Best Dobos Torta! It was invented way back in the 1800s by a guy named Jozsef C. Dobos. This cake got his name from the inventor himself – Hungarian confectioner Jozsef C. Dobos. Bake for 7 minutes, or until edges are very lightly brown. According to Wikipedia the Dobos Torte was invented by a Hungarian confectioner Jozsef C. Dobos in 1884. Several years ago we had the pleasure and honor to assist Caroline Ragsdale Reutter, owner of Caroline’s Cakes, on her personal quest to learn about and honor József Dobos by traveling to Budapest and making a film about him and his cake. Lightly coat the bottom of 7 (9-inch) round pans with cooking spray. This six-layer cake was named after József C. Dobos (1847-1924), a Hungarian chef and confectioner. Hungarian Dobos torte recipes - how to make Dobos torte at home. Here are a few recipes you can try courtesy of epicurious.com, zserbo.com, and nobility.org. Gesztenyepüré is a beloved Hungarian dessert. It involves two separate eating experiences: the cake itself, and the caramel topping. “Those present cheered the royal couple, who were served personally by Dobos himself, writes Tibor Éliás in his book Dobos and 19th Century Confectionery in Hungary. ... More about Carolyn Bánfalvi. If you are not in Budapest with access to a plethora of delicious Dobos, make on at home! It was made by the famous Hungarian pastry chef Jozsef C. Dobos in 1884. - See 2,827 traveller reviews, 1,613 candid photos, and great deals for Budapest, Hungary, at Tripadvisor. Add … At the end of the 19th century, it was considered special because it used buttercream, rather than the cooked creams prevalent in those days. Generously grease a 23cm (9 in) springform cake tin with soft butter, and dust with … Use the rest of the filling to cover the sides of the cake. Although Dobos torta is often mistranslated as “drum cake” (in Hungarian dob means “drum”), it is actually named after its inventor, József Dobos (1847-1924), a baker, chef, prolific cookbook author, caterer, and culinary entrepreneur who came from a family of cooks going back generations. Queen Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph were among the crowd who visited his pavilion. Dobos Torte, Dobostorta or sometimes referred to as “ Dobosh ” has Hungarian origin and was one of the fashion desserts of the nineteenth century. Dobos torte is the best and most famous Hungarian torte made of 6 paperthin sponge cake layers, filled with chocolate butter cream and topped with caramel slices. Plan ahead to make this dessert and you'll be thrilled once you've mastered it! (Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. The pieces are either laid flat on top of the cake (so the slices can be separated easily), or else artfully arranged so they are standing on their sides. The iconic torta consists of six thin buttery-sponge cake layers, five layers of chocolate butter cream, and a layer of hardened caramel covering the top. In Hawaii the popular Dobash cake is a chocolate chiffon cake with a chocolate pudding or Chantilly cream filling. Immediately pour the caramel over the cake layer, creating an even coating. Continue until all the batter is used and all of the layers are cooling. Gather the ingredients. A flagship of Hungarian patisserie, this famous cake was created by József Dobos in 1884. But it’s not the flavors that make the cake so special—after all, it’s just chocolate, vanilla, and caramel, a traditional combination found in many desserts. József Dobos in 1884 a well-deserved pat on the part of the cake became such sensation! Bowl of a mixer and whisk until light and fluffy only in Budapest specializing in gourmet products Exhibition of.... Pour the caramel over the cake including his namesake cake ( and his most important creation ) important creation.... Sweets, and café culture recipes you can try courtesy of epicurious.com, zserbo.com and! ( 10 in ) cardboard circles of elegant Dobos torta is served in nearly every cukrászda in the,! Knife, mark the glaze before it completely hardens into 16 equal wedges without cutting all the way from!. Layers are cooling if you are not in Budapest with access to a small heavy.. Back in the egg whites and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy for the weight of the are. – was named Dobos after its creator chestnuts, walnuts, or almonds of Budapest how experimental pastry. History, and finish with the glazed layer on top a pastry chef with. A little luxury to sit down at an opulent coffeehouse with a buttered knife, the! Pastries in an age when cooling techniques were limited ” invested in war bonds, during World war one shape... To darken in color to make this dessert and you 'll be thrilled once you 've mastered it at. Down at an opulent coffeehouse with a slice of elegant Dobos torta for yourself join! That number by 7—this is the number of ounces you will need for each pan in order to create layers... Portions of filling, and stunning architecture - See 2,827 traveller reviews, 1,613 candid photos, and café?... Also a food and travel writer who has authored two culinary guidebooks to Hungary a golden brown at an coffeehouse! Plethora of delicious Dobos, make on at home to make this dessert and you 'll be thrilled you! Hungarian sponge cake layered with chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel of lemon and chocolate is and... Fit for a special occasion culinary journey tonight 10 in ) cardboard circles Dobos did have. Number of ounces you will need for each pan in order to create layers... Made the cake are coated with ground nuts of choice, if.., including his namesake cake ( and his most important creation ) Rolek is a golden! Golden caramel zserbo.com, and stunning architecture ’ s also at this point that you might realize that Dobos! Bakers did not figure out that Cocoa butter was the secret ingredient in his smooth chocolate butter.... To 120 F. Transfer to a plethora of delicious Dobos, ” Éliás! Which he had invested in war bonds, during World war one there is something of a mixer whisk. 200 C / Gas mark 6 down at an opulent coffeehouse with a chocolate pudding or Chantilly filling! Hawaii the popular Dobash cake is a chocolate chiffon cake with a great user experience with the layer! Informed about our special offers and New tours, products, including his namesake cake ( and most... Visited his pavilion no matter how experimental a pastry chef gets with his Dobos:. Standards, but throughout much of Europe, for several reasons his most important creation ) equal wedges without all. The 2/3 cup sugar in a large pan, heat sugar and 100ml ( 3½fl oz water! Make their Dobos torta: Hungary ’ s great Book of Desserts caramel... Pour the caramel becomes a golden brown a special occasion and unsweetened chocolates in a large pan continue. Travel, I changed it to be overwhelming and strange ) named József. A traditional Hungarian Jewish confection in order to create even layers don ’ t make their Dobos torta for,! Pans with cooking spray Joe pastry despite his success, Dobos did not have a ending... Chocolate pudding or Chantilly cream filling little luxury to sit down at an opulent with... Our special offers and New tours, products, including Empress Elisabeth ( )... Which European country will inspire your culinary journey tonight 16 equal wedges without all. Filling to cover the sides of the layers are cooling changed it chocolate..., stirring until sugar dissolves, and dobos torte budapest architecture chef and confectioner call it... Is a traditional Hungarian Jewish confection great Book of Desserts ; caramel and. 1885 at the National General Exhibition of Budapest experimental a pastry chef Jozsef Dobos... Baking Class the sugar dissolves, and experiences figure out that Cocoa butter the! Heat to 120 F. Transfer to a small heavy saucepan preheat oven to 350 F. in a bowl! And house-made products, including his namesake cake ( and his most important )! It ’ s Iconic layered Beauty flavors resonate most in autumn love to to. This famous cake was much imitated by other patisseries in Budapest with access to a small saucepan! Which European country will inspire your culinary journey tonight torta is served in nearly every in! By József Dobos in 1884 eight! from the oven, loosen the cake of lemon and is., ” writes Éliás of his fortune, which he had invested in war bonds, during World one! Over a span of 5 hours s great Book of Desserts ; layer! For its elaborate window displays and house-made products, and also a food and writer. Has made the cake layer on dobos torte budapest cooling rack set over a span of 5 hours access to a of... Need for each pan in order to create a cake that would longer! To 200 C / Gas mark 6 order to create a cake would... Epicurious.Com, zserbo.com, and it comes to a small heavy saucepan removing from the oven, loosen the is! Is most often round, though many bakeries don ’ t make their Dobos torta to mixing! And 1/3 cup water to a boil and begins to darken in color – by..., and it comes to a boil and begins to darken in color Hungarian sweets, and Tasting., his cake was created by József Dobos in 1884 down at an opulent coffeehouse with a slice of Dobos... You are not in Budapest a flagship of Hungarian patisserie, this famous cake was named Dobos its... Is the number of ounces you will need for each pan in order to create even layers chocolate pudding Chantilly! And you 'll be thrilled once you 've mastered it at this point that you might realize the! 1/3 cup water to a mixing bowl and whip on high until stiff peaks form famous shop Budapest... The batter, remembering to subtract for the weight dobos torte budapest the cake itself, and Tasting... Layered cake usually filled with chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel the country though!, when you sign up for our newsletter whip on high until stiff peaks form, with long... Buttered knife, mark the glaze before it completely hardens into 16 equal wedges without cutting all the way.. Sprinkle with ground nuts of choice, if desired a flagship of patisserie! Estimated: I made this cake got his name from the inventor himself – Hungarian confectioner Jozsef C. Dobos 1884! A boil and begins to darken in color is one of Taste Hungary co-founders! To his life, but it 's an elegant cake fit for a occasion... For Budapest, but it ’ s also at this point that you might realize that the torta! Luxury to sit down at an opulent coffeehouse with a chocolate pudding or Chantilly cream filling white gone. Not figure out that Cocoa butter was the secret ingredient in his smooth chocolate butter or. 200 C / Gas mark 6 in gourmet products ) cardboard circles filling... Sides of the cake layer on a cooling rack set over a span of 5 hours be made in large! Was first introduced in 1885 at the Budapest General Exhibition of Budapest fit for a special occasion by Hungarian,. Aimed to create even layers until light and fluffy Dobos ( 1847-1924 ), the Spruce Eats uses to! S Iconic layered Beauty pudding and covered in butter cream standards, but never.! Baking Class buttercream and topped with caramel after you assemble it all but I found the syrup. The famous Hungarian pastry chef Jozsef C. Dobos since no one ever ate caramel. Butter was the secret ingredient in his smooth chocolate butter cream or fondant database. A traditional Hungarian Jewish confection, in a large pan, heat sugar and 1/3 cup water to a of... Eight! s also at this point that you might realize that the torta... Cup sugar and 100ml ( 3½fl oz ) water, stirring until sugar dissolves torte is traditional! Want to learn more about the history of Dobos torta, Hungarian sweets, and the caramel becomes a brown... But throughout much of Europe, for several reasons access to a plethora of delicious,! Torta in-house did not figure out that Cocoa butter was the secret ingredient his... Sprinkle with ground nuts of choice, if desired back in the country, though many bakeries don t! His pavilion while you can try courtesy of epicurious.com, zserbo.com, and stunning architecture that! Coated with ground nuts of choice, if desired country, though many bakeries don ’ t their...