Sachertorte Day

An exciting story of dense chocolate cake and a war between the triangle and the circle!
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Attention all cake enthusiasts! Are you ready to celebrate a cake that’s so deliciously dense, it could anchor a ship?
If you love cake and you love chocolate and you love a lot of both of them together, then you’ve got to try the Sachertorte – a rich, dense cake that’s the stuff of Viennese legends!
This decadent dessert is made by layering sweet, tangy apricot jam on top of a moist chocolate cake, then coating the whole thing in a thick layer of chocolate. And the best part? It’s traditionally served with a dollop of fluffy whipped cream on top.

Why celebrate?

The origins of this day are shrouded in magical mystery, but let’s just say that it involves a legendary battle of the chocolate cakes that would make Game of Thrones look like a baking competition, because we see no indication that the Sacher family chose any date to honor the creation of their famous cake, because they’re probably too busy baking them.
Regardless, we have an excuse to eat cake, so let’s roll with it!

What is Sachertorte and why is it called like that?

Sachertorte is a chocolate cake that is so dense, you could probably use it as a doorstop. But, with a layer of apricot jam on top and a rich, velvety chocolate glaze, it’s impossible to resist. It’s like a gourmet chocolate bar got lost in a fruit orchard and decided to take up residence in a cake mold!
What sets Sachertorte apart from other chocolate cakes is its balance of sweet and tart flavors, thanks to the apricot jam. It’s like a symphony of flavors in your mouth, with the chocolate hitting all the right notes and the jam bringing a fruity harmony to the mix.
And it’s not finished yet! Sachertorte is traditionally served with whipped cream, because if you’re going to indulge, why not go all the way?
Finally, if you want to get fancy, you can decorate your Sachertorte with a round emblem (if you’re team Hotel Sacher) or a triangular emblem (if you’re team Demel) or choose your own chocolate figure to personalize it as your own variation.

The layered origins of Sachertorte

The official backstory of Sachertorte says that L the Sachertorte was first dreamed up by a clever apprentice chef named Franz Sacher back in 1832. When he was tasked with creating a special dessert for Prince Wenzel von Metternich of Vienna, he knew he had to come up with something truly special. So he experimented with different combinations of chocolate and jam, until he landed on the perfect recipe.

But the Sachertorte didn’t become a true family legacy until Franz’s son, Eduard Sacher, took over the reins. Eduard perfected the recipe, and before long the Sachertorte was the talk of the town. People came from far and wide to try the heavenly combination of chocolate and apricot, and the Sacher family’s bakery became the place to be seen in Vienna.

But all good things must come to an end, and in the early 1900s a legal battle broke out over the Sachertorte. The Sacher family had lost control of their beloved Hotel Sacher, and the new owners started selling a so-called “Original Sachertorte”. Meanwhile, Eduard Jr. had started working at the rival Demel Bakery, continuing the family tradition of making the Sachertorte.

The legal battle was bitter and protracted, with both sides fighting tooth and nail over the rights to the Sachertorte. But in the end, a settlement was reached: Hotel Sacher would be allowed to call their version “The Original Sachertorte”, while Demel would have to settle for “Eduard-Sacher-Torte”. And so the legend of the Sachertorte lives on, two emblems competing for attention in the world of Viennese pastry.

How to identify your Sachertorte:

When you compare these tortes side by side, you might see the following differences:
The Sachertorte from the hotel has 2 layers of apricot and a round chocolate emblem on top.
The Sachertorte from Demel has 1 layer of apricot and a triangle chocolat emblem.
It is unclear if 2 layers are better than one because it’s how you balance them.
The proof is in eating both cakes.

Make your own!

Now, if you’re feeling adventurous, you could make your own Sachertorte. Just remember, when it comes to the decoration, the circle or triangle are already taken so go wild in finding any other shape than these two. Or, you could get creative and personally handcraft a design that reflects your unique style.

How to celebrate:

Preparing for Sachertorte Day is easy. You just need a fork, a napkin, and a healthy appetite. And if you’re feeling daring, you could pair it with a glass of red wine, because who doesn’t love a good pairing?

So, how should you celebrate Sacher Torte Day? Well, obviously you should eat Sachertorte. But you could also host a Sachertorte baking competition with friends or family, or even try making a miniature version of the cake in a mug. And don’t forget to pair your cake with a hot cup of coffee or tea, and a dollop of whipped cream.
Just be sure to have a designated driver, in case you get too heavy to walk.

For those feeling adventurous, try experimenting with different types of jams, or adding a sprinkle of sea salt to your chocolate glaze. Or, if you’re feeling particularly rebellious, plunk a scoop of ice cream on top.
Noim appetit!

A little slice of warning:

But let’s not forget about safety. Sachertorte can be a slippery slope, so we suggest you don’t try to eat it while walking or driving. And, whatever you do, don’t attempt to cut it with a chainsaw. Trust us, it’s not worth the mess.

In conclusion

Let’s raise a fork to Sachertorte Day, holiday that celebrates the most important things in life: chocolate, cake, and apricot jam. And even though our waistlines may suffer, our taste buds will thank us.
So, let’s eat cake!