Sacher Torte is a Viennese chocolate cake with separated egg whites for an airy crumb, apricot jam filling that absorbs into the cake as it rests, and a decadent bittersweet chocolate glaze. The contrast of light cake, sweet jam, and dark chocolate makes it an elegant dessert.
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Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray one 9" by 2" round cake pan with cooking spray and line with parchment. Spritz the parchment lightly as well. If your pan isn't at least 2" deep, use two pans instead of one.
2
To make the cake: Over low heat or in the microwave melt the chocolate slowly, stirring well.
3
In a small bowl, lightly beat the 8 egg yolks. Add the melted chocolate, melted butter, and vanilla. Blend until smooth and satiny, with no lumps or unincorporated yolks.
4
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the 8 egg whites with a pinch of salt until they begin to foam. Slowly add the sugar, then beat on high speed until the whites hold a stiff peak but are still glossy.
5
Using a wide rubber spatula, mix about 1/3 of the egg whites into the chocolate/yolk mixture to lighten it. Now, pour the lightened chocolate mixture over the rest of the whites in the bowl. Fold gently, using about 20 to 30 strokes.
6
Sprinkle the cake flour over the chocolate batter and continue to fold gently until there are no traces of egg white remaining.
7
Pour the batter into the pan(s). Bake until the cake is puffed and dry looking on top, and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean: 40 to 45 minutes for a single pan, 20 to 25 minutes for two pans. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan(s) for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Be sure to peel off the parchment circle while the cake is still warm.
8
While the cake is cooling, strain the apricot jam through a fine sieve to remove any bits of fruit and make a smooth filling.
9
To fill the cake: If you used one cake pan, you will need to split the layer before filling. Use a long, sharp serrated knife to split the cake into two even layers. If you used two pans, simply spread the apricot jam between the layers, leaving 1/2 inch around the border so that the jam does not squeeze out over the sides of the cake.
10
To make the chocolate glaze: Place the filled cake on a wire rack over a parchment lined baking sheet. Place the chocolate, water and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently until the glaze is smooth, shiny and slightly thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
11
As soon as the glaze is smooth, immediately pour over the cake. The excess glaze will drip off of the cake onto the parchment paper. You can scoop up the excess glaze to cover any bare spots on the cake. Use a flexible spatula to help spread the glaze on the top and sides of the cake, but do not overwork the glaze or it will not remain smooth and sleek.
12
Allow the glaze to set up at room temperature for a few hours before serving. This cake is best served the day it's made. Store any leftovers at room temperature for 1 day.
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Tips & Notes
Pro tips
Bring eggs to room temperature before separating—cold whites won't whip to stiff peaks and will affect cake rise.
Fold the egg white mixture gently into the chocolate base in two additions to preserve air bubbles and maintain the airy texture.
Use boiling water for the glaze to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency that sets to a thin, shiny coating as it cools.
Resist cutting the cake until 24 hours after glazing; this allows the jam to fully absorb and the glaze to harden properly.
Substitutions
Bittersweet chocolate wafers → dark chocolate chips or bar chocolate (chop finely; melt same way)
King Arthur Baker's Special Sugar → granulated sugar (use same weight, though texture may be slightly different)
Apricot jam → raspberry jam or plum jam (use equal quantity and strain if very seedy)
Storage & make-ahead
Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days. Serve at room temperature. Freezing is not recommended due to the delicate crumb and glaze finish.
Equipment
Stand mixer or hand mixer (for whipping egg whites to stiff peaks) · Two 8 or 9-inch round cake pans
Common Questions
Why do you separate the eggs in Sacher Torte?
Whipped egg whites create the airy, delicate crumb structure. Yolks mixed with butter and chocolate provide richness, while whites beaten to peaks add lift without a heavy crumb.
How long does Sacher Torte need to rest after glazing?
Allow the glaze to set completely (typically 2–4 hours or overnight). During this time, the apricot jam absorbs into the cake, creating a moist, sweet center layer.
Can I make Sacher Torte ahead of time?
Yes. The cake improves after 1–2 days as flavors meld. Store it covered at room temperature or refrigerated, and it will stay fresh for 3–4 days.
What if I don't have apricot jam?
Raspberry, strawberry, or plum jam work as substitutes, though apricot is traditional. Use the same quantity (1/2 cup) for consistency.
Should the chocolate wafers be melted before adding to the batter?
Melt the bittersweet chocolate wafers (170g for the cake) and fold into the batter after combining egg yolks and butter to ensure even distribution and smooth texture.
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