Blood Orange Chocolate Truffle Torte
Starting with a pecan graham cracker crust, this blood orange chocolate truffle torte is decadent and fudgy with hints of citrus.
Are you ever in vogue? I am always behind trends and times. I get hooked on things way after they were cool or popular. Despite my monthly subscription to Vogue, I still can’t help it. I finally got into colored skinny jeans this past fall and I’m sure people are thinking that’s so last year.
The same goes for food trends. Meyer lemons, kale chips, macarons, you name it. I am discovering and playing with them way after they were cool. For example, blood oranges have been all over Pinterest and blogland for a few months now. Heck I’ve even read articles about preserving them for when they are not in season but I didn’t grab my first samples until last weekend while grocery shopping.
And now I don’t know why I waited so long because they are freaking delightful. If you have never tried one, you are missing out. They are a unique cross between oranges and tangerines, but much more vibrant and beautiful than those two alone. Of course the first thing I did after tasting a few was to play around with some flavor ideas.
I settled on chocolate of course because what doesn’t go well with chocolate? This blood orange chocolate truffle torte is amaze balls. Simply put. And here is why. Apart from all that gooey fudgy chocolate filling I know you chocolate lovers are glued on, it has my new favorite way to make crust; adding nuts to graham cracker crumbs. This torte has toasted pecans in it’s starting layer giving it a crunchy beginning. And the crust is filled with a truffle chocolate brownie-like cake that is infused with the zest and juice of blood oranges.
If you are a chocolate lover (who isn’t?), then you will love this decadent, fudgy torte with hints of sweet citrus. Make it soon and be in vogue.
Blood Orange Chocolate Truffle
Starting with a pecan graham cracker crust, this blood orange chocolate truffle torte is decadent and fudgy with hints of citrus.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecans, toasted
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ยผ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 16 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped finely 1 cup heavy cream 6 large eggs, beaten ยพ cup granulated sugar โ cup all-purpose flour zest of one blood orange 2 teaspoons blood orange juice Whipped cream, optional for topping
- 16 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped finely
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 large eggs, beaten
- ยพ cup granulated sugar
- โ cup all-purpose flour
- zest of one blood orange
- 2 teaspoons blood orange juice
- Whipped cream, optional for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- To make the crust, combine pecans, graham cracker crumbs and sugar in the bowl of the food processor. Process for a minute until fine. Drizzle melted butter over crumbles and process for another minute. Press the crumbs onto bottom and about an inch up the sides of the prepared springform pan.
- In a medium saucepan, combine chocolate and heavy cream and cook over low heat until chocolate melts, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip together the eggs, sugar and flour until thick and pale lemon colored, about 10 minutes. Whisk in zest and blood orange juice. Fold in a fourth of the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture. Fold in the remaining mixture until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared crust.
- Bake torte until puffed around the edge and halfway to the center but the center is slightly soft, about 40- 45 minutes (Do not over bake as the edges will crack while cooling). Let torte cool in pan for 20 minutes. Remove the sides of the pan and let cool on wire rack for 4 hours. Serve with whipped cream. Store in refrigerator.
Hi please could you let me know what the English version of grahams crackers are, as they don’t sell them here and would love to make this cake and lots of other things but don’t know what to use instead.
Cheers – love you page ๐
Hi Sue! I am sorry you guys don’t have graham crackers there. You can substitute the graham crackers in this recipe with any cookies you like- vanilla wafer cookies, shortbread cookies, chocolate wafers or even Oreos will be great!
PS: The Lotus cookies will work too!
Digestives are the most similar
Thanks Paola! I’ve never heard of those but just looked them up and they look the most similar indeed. Thank you ๐
I got interrupted when I was writing that and meant to say that I am going to bake this one soon! It sounds and looks so good – and the last blood oranges of the season are in the shops now! One reason I love them is that they are available for such a short period… but the main reason is that my grandparents had one blood orange tree among the few tegular ones in their garden ant it was always a treat!
Glad to be of help!
I got interrupted when I was writing that and meant to say that I am going to bake this one soon! It sounds and looks so good – and the last blood oranges of the season are in the shops now! One reason I love them is that they are available for such a short period… but the main reason is that my grandparents had one blood orange tree among the few tegular ones in their garden ant it was always a treat!
I know I have seen a recipe on Facebook for homemade grahm crackers maybe you could find it on internet hope this helps!
I know this is coming very late, but I want to second the use of digestive biscuits as a substitute…just pop several of them in the food processor until you make fine crumbs! I went to graduate school in the UK and used them when I needed to make a graham cracker crust for cheesecakes. I would also throw in a pinch or two of cinnamon and about a tablespoon of sugar, but you don’t need to do that for this recipe.
Zainab, this is absolutely gorgeous! Really stunning! And I’m sure that it tastes just as amazing as it looks. I love anything citrus and the addition of the chocolate makes it that much better. Have a great week!
Zainab, I’m totally that person who didn’t think iPods would catch on. Or Twitter. Case in point: I’m always behind, too ๐ This torte is absolutely gorgeous, especially with the blood oranges. I’ve never cooked with blood oranges, but I LOVE eating them!
My grandmother introduced me to blood oranges so long ago and they remind me of her. Maybe that’s why I love them so much! I’m always behind on food trends, too. ๐ This torte looks AMAZING from that graham cracker pecan crust all the way up to that chocolatey blood orange goodness — well done! ๐
This torte is GORGEOUS, Zainab!! Seriously, so stunning. I am also way behind on the blood oranges trend. I think it’s because I don’t really care for regular oranges, but they sure are pretty! And plus, like you said, what doesn’t go with chocolate?? I’ll have to give them a try. ๐
I am with you. I bought my first pair of colored jeans last fall, too, and honestly? Haven’t bought a single blood orange this year. I need to change that soon, though, because I have to have this torte in my life!
Your photography here is a serious thing of beauty! Gorgeous girl. I want this torte!
So funny you mentioned being behind on trends as I was just thinking about this last night as I was mixing up my next recipe. Story of my life –if was cool three years ago I am for some reason just discovering it now.
I don’t think chocolate + orange will ever go out of style though so you are in the clear. I love blood oranges simply because they are so beautiful on the inside. This torte looks amazing (totally love you said amaze balls ๐ )
Great pictures, I guess my husband deserve a cake like this! He is a chocolate lover. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Hhahaha he does deserve a cake!! Hope you make it for him ๐
I made a pie last year with a pecan graham cracker crust! Isn’t it life changing! I never want to eat regular crust again! And I am so in the dark ages about style or anything like that because I am so OLD! ๐
I have not tried it in a pie yet but I am so obsessed with nuts in my crust that I have done peanuts, macadamia nuts and now pecans!! So life changing ๐
Zainab, this looks amazing! Love the flavours and you must have known chocolate orange is my favourite thing ever! I love the pretty swirls of cream as well! ๐
Thanks Jess!! I think I may be reading your mind ๐
This is such a good February recipe! I love citrus and chocolate together. Also, the more crust the better, so I love the look of this even more!
Thanks Shikha!! I am loving chocolate and citrus lately and so glad I gave it a try. See that’s what I say…the more the better. This crust is delicious!
I have loved blood oranges for years now, but I’ve never baked with them. I’ll have to try it. The filling in this torte just looks crazy good!
Thanks Laura! I always bake first before trying in any dish ๐ฎ
Oh my goodness … I’m actually in heaven just looking at those pictures. What I wouldn’t give for a piece of that right now! I actually ate a salad today with blood oranges in and they were incredible. You’re right – sort of like a more tangeriney version of a normal orange. Love this pie!!
Thank you Helen!! I need to try my leftover oranges in a salad..sounds so yummy!!
All I have to say is wow! These pictures are gorg-eous!!!! Love the pecan graham cracker crust, can’t wait to try this bad boy.
P.S. I’m always behind on the food trends too, well actually basically every trend. I suck at staying up to date on fashion, books, food, etc. stuff. So you’re not alone!
Thank you very much dear!! I’m glad I am not alone on my backward trend lol!
Ha, I just made red velvet last month. I think that is like 3 years behind schedule. I am all about better late than never!
See, you are my kind of girl!! I’m still eating cranberries :0
Dear Zainab, What a beautiful cake. This is fantastic.
The pictures are beautiful. Blessings dear. Catherine xo
This torte looks gorgeous Zainab! I love the pecan graham cracker crust and combining the blood oranges with chocolate sounds amazing! Hehe, I am always behind on trends too but I say it’s all good – wear what you like and make what you’re craving at the moment ๐ Hope you have a great week and love your photos as always!
Thank you very much Kelly! I love your take on trends…I pretty much just go with that. Hope you have a great week too ๐
This torte is beautiful! I’m late on the blood oranges too– I haven’t really wanted to try them until Jocelyn posted an ice cream a couple weeks ago. Now I have two recipes that I need to try with blood oranges! One of my friends also uses coconut in her graham cracker crusts too– so good!
Yay!! I am glad you are trying them soon. they are delicious on their own but I am sure will be even better in your recipes. Can’t wait to see what you make! Coconut you say? Ooooo, I have to try that!
Ooo this torte looks amazing! I haven’t seen any blood oranges in my supermarket yet, boo!
Thanks Meghan! really? They look similar to the tangerines and could be hiding there. I found mine at Wegmans.
Pecans and graham crackers in the crust? OK. Sign me up immediately!
I nearly died when you posted this on instagram. Need this in my life ASAP!
Lol thanks Graham!!
Great to “meet” you and your blog!
what a scrumptious torte you made, I am usually not that interested in sweets, but THIS one is making me dream… dream about a big slice, that is ๐
Nice to meet you too Sally!!
My nickname would be no-vogue (if I had one!) I am so rarely trendy, people would probably think something was wrong with me if I was “with it.” I guess I’ll be on the blood orange train right behind you! I’ve never tried them, but gosh, with a chocolate truffle torte and those whipped cream peaks, how on earth could I say no? This is so gorgeous – pinned!
Hahhah, well looks like I am not alone. But I do think though that you are very stylish from what I’ve seen ๐ Thank you for sharing dear!
This is so stunning! I am dreaming of a slice right now.
Thanks chica!
This truffle cake looks fantastic! The truffle filling sounds so good!
Thanks Medeja! It’s really delicious!
Don’t worry, I caught on to EVERY food trend decades later. I’m still behind! I love how you went with a darker theme and you know it matches the whole “blood” like spooky…I’m hoping that was on purpose and I’m not just weird. These torte looks absolutely delicious and I’d like you to send me a slice please! Pinned!
Thanks Jessica! And I so was not going for the “blood” spooky idea…I wish I was. You may just be weird hahah!!
SImply beautiful torte!
Thanks!!
Great photo and recipe Zainab! I love tortes and the flavors in this one is amazing. I’m always behind the times too… ๐
Thank you Deb!!
If it makes you feel any better, I JUST bought a big bag of blood oranges this past weekend! And still haven’t figured out what to do with them. Until now. Because this torte NEEDS TO HAPPEN. Luscious.
I can’t wait to see what awesomeness you make!!
beautiful photography on a delicious recipe!
Thank you Greg!
GORGEOUS!! I am always late with trends! Just bought colored jeans yesterday, and I am still debating about wedge sneakers, by the time I decide they will probably be out of style!
Thanks Molly!! I love my colored jeans and I don’t know why I waited so long. Ok what are wedge sneakers? I am so out of date.
I try to stay on trend, but it’s easier to do with fashion than food. If eating this gorgeous cake means staying in food style then I’m all for it! It looks amazing!
I try to stay on trend, but it’s easier to do with fashion than food. If eating this gorgeous cake means staying in food style then I’m all for it! It looks amazing!
PS I think my comments are going to your spam. ๐
Oh no Tina! I will go check and make sure they are not in spam. This one made it ๐ Thank you so much. And I’m sorry for the spammy possibility.
Thanks for letting me know again Tina. I fixed it and it should not happen again.
Ohhh my, this torte looks SO good. That crust! That filling! The whipped cream! YUM!! Blood oranges are so lovely! And I’m sure you rock those colored skinny jeans! Who cares if you are behind the times ๐
Thanks Cate!! You are too kind ๐
Oh my goodness, this looks delicious. I love all things rich and chocolate. This definitely fits the bill. I’m totally unaware of most food trends, so I’m sure I’m much further behind in learning about the “cool” foods than you, rest assured ๐ Thanks for sharing. Pinning immediately.
Thank you Jelli!
Wow, this looks delicious!
Thanks!!
This cake looks so delicious and beautiful! I love the use of the blood orange with the chocolate. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jodee!!
Oh you had me at chocolate! I’ll be making this over the weekend. Thanks!
Susie I hope you enjoy it!!
This looks absolutely delicious Zainab! What gorgeous and scrumptious photos!!! ๐
Hi Dana!! Thank you very much ๐
Chocolate and citrus were a match made in Heaven! This torte is simply divine.
I totally agree!! Thanks Ansh!
This is gorgeous and sounds delicious! I’m always behind the times too, so I’ll look to you for breaking news since I probably haven’t seen it before ๐
Hahha Andi I will be the worst to get your news from lol!
First I love your use of the word “amazeballs” haha and second I am so jealous you tackled blood oranges! I have heard about them all of Pinterest but your use of them sounds AMAZING. The pecan graham cracker crust just sounds like the perfect addition to this dessert! I definitely have to try this asap! Love it as usual! Pinned!
Hahhah thanks Ally!! You should grab some blood oranges next time you are out grocery shopping ๐ Thanks for pinning!
This looks so good, thanks for sharing!! I am hosting a giveaway on my page this week (posted Monday) and I would love if you would stop by and check it out!
-Jennie
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com/
Thanks Jennie!
Gorgeous cake! You had me at blood oranges and chocolate truffle, Z! All the better in one beautiful torte. ๐ I agree..adding nuts to a graham cracker crust is the way to go. When I said “amaze balls” to someone recently, they acted like it was “so 2 years ago”, LOL! So, I know how you feel. To heck with the trends. Some things will remain classics…like chocolate truffle tortes. Thanks for sharing, my friend!
Thank you girl!! I don’t know how I started using amazeballs after hanging out with my niece I think lol! The things you pick up.
Saw you over at Buns in my Oven link party. This cake looks and sounds absolutely delicious. Going to pin and try for a special occasion! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Jill! Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you give it a try. My last piece is gone and I am so sad.
I wish I can have a slice! Thanks for advising on substitutes for graham crakers, I think I am going to try making it with Lotus biscuits.
You are welcome!! I think it will be delicious with those biscuits ๐ Let me know how it works.
I am totally a chocolate lover definitely going to bake this.
We don’t have Graham crackers where I live Zainab, do you think digestive biscuits as a base would work?
Chichi are you in Europe? You could try using Lotus biscuits or vanilla wafers. Or if you want more chocolate, use some oreo cookies.
Girl, your blog keeps looking better and better, and THIS looks amazing. Not much better can be combined than citrus and chocolate!
Thank you very much Angela!!
I’m totally the same way, Zainab – I’m always waaaaaaaaaay behind on all the big trends. But it’s cool. That just means there are thousands of people out there who have taste tested and now I know it’s safe and delicious to try myself ๐ I’ve never had a blood orange but seeing all the amazing recipes out there featuring it, I can’t wait to try it! This torte is beyond amazing. That filling looks so rich and decadent and I love that you put nuts in the crust! This is gorgeous, as are your photos.
Nancy I love love your way of looking at things. People are the taste testers and they just make sure it’s perfect by the time we get there ๐
COLORED DENIM FOR LIFE! I’m forever behind too, but a blood orange doesn’t need to be trendy. It can just be delicious like this ๐
I’m loving my colored jeans very much. So glad I finally caught on ๐
Zainab!! these photos are gorgeous!! this torte doesn’t even look real!! beautiful work friend! I’m sure it tastes amazing also!
I’m totally loving how the filling is this baked, fudgy textured cake. I never would have thought to do it like that! The crust sounds amazing too with the nuts… And I had to laugh about the colored jeans thing. I have a few cute pairs in my closet and I’ve been wondering if that trend is still on, lol! Hopefully when the weather warms up I’ll feel like wearing them again, but from what I’m seeing on the fashion blogs I think this season is going to be all about lighter wash, destroyed denim ๐
A delicious looking and sounding mouthful.
I am right there with you, and I haven’t had a blood orange in years! Oops. I’m the one going around asking my coworkers “have you guys ever seen The West Wing? It’s SO good”. I mean, really. But I’m going to have to make an exception and go out and find some blood oranges immediately, because I can’t wait to try this torte! Pinned!
Amazingly beautiful photography Zainab! That first shot is breathtaking! Pinned!
Thank you Trish!
Oh my gosh! That has got to be the most delicious cake…. I can’t stand it! (Sharon)
Have you considered popping over to #simplybebetsy and starting a gallery of your goodies! We’d love it and so would our readers… DELICIOUS!
The best to you,
Sharon and Denise
Hi Zainab! Oh my goodness, this is absolutely stunning! I’m sure it tastes even better than it looks! I always am behind the trends, too, but I think that’s totally ok! Thank you SO much for sharing this gorgeous torte at Best of the Weekend – will be pinning and sharing. Have a happy Sunday and a fabulous week!
I absolutely cannot get over how amazing this looks. Your photos are gorgeous and the torte looks so fudgy and delicious!
Thank you very much Jenn! I feel the same of your beautiful cakes ๐
Beautiful, Zainab. Just beautiful. And I bet this torte is so darn good! Love the chocolate with the hints of citrus. Pinning and featuring on social media. Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Mondays…and for just sharing this great recipe! ๐
Thank you very much Julie!! Hope you have a great week ๐
it looks delicious!
Hello Zainab!
This recipe looks fantastic and so creative! I just pinned it on my blog’s Pinterest Food Board! Thank you for the inspiration. So much fun to come across your site through The SITSgirls “Pin-teresting Posts” Linky!
Gorgeous, delicious and UNIQUE cake
I love it and would loooooooooooooove a big slice ๐
WOW, this torte is the bomb! I am currently obsessed with blood oranges and add chocolate to that mix and it’s deadly ๐ Thanks for linking up to Eat. Create. Party! You’re a rockstar!
Thanks Kat!! It’s always fun to link up ๐
Made this today and loved it! Got rave reviews from the family, too. Only thing I did different was use a naval orange because blood oranges are not in season so can’t find them anywhere. I also got distracted and made the mistake of over-processing the crust to the point where the oil started to come out of the pecans and I was on the verge of making pecan butter! Subsequently, it became a bit too oily and so I was having a really hard time getting it to stick 1-inch up the sides. But i fixed this by blotting it a bit and popping it in the fridge for about 10 minutes so it would be firmer and could now be molded to form 1-inch walls. Once baked, it came out totally fine! I was a bit over eager to eat it and so I tried it at exactly the 4 hour mark, but it was not quite cool/settled enough (yet still delicious). I would recommend waiting more like 8 hours or overnight for that perfect texture. Thanks for the great recipe!
Amazing cake