Creme de menthe torte is a classic mint-flavored cake that has been popular for decades. The name “creme de menthe” refers to a sweet, mint-flavored liqueur that gives the cake its distinctive flavor. A torte is a type of rich, dense cake that originated in European bakeries. Creme de menthe torte combines a moist chocolate cake base with a minty green filling and frosting. The result is an elegant and refreshing dessert with a cool, creamy mint flavor.
What is creme de menthe?
Creme de menthe is a mint-flavored liqueur that has been produced since the 19th century. It has a smooth, creamy consistency and derives its minty flavor from plant extracts like peppermint and spearmint. Traditional creme de menthe is green in color, but colorless varieties are also available. Popular brands of creme de menthe include DeKuyper, Marie Brizard, and Tempus Fugit.
The liqueur usually contains around 25% alcohol by volume. It has a sweet, minty aroma and flavor reminiscent of mint chocolate, with hints of vanilla and other herbs. Creme de menthe is used primarily for flavoring desserts and cocktails rather than being consumed on its own. Its sweet and refreshing taste makes it perfect for adding flavor to creamy desserts like the creme de menthe torte.
History of Creme de Menthe
Creme de menthe dates back to the 19th century, when it was produced as a medicinal liquor in Switzerland. The original recipe was created by Monsieur Frison using mint plants from his garden. It was marketed as a digestive aid.
The liqueur grew in popularity and made its way to France, where it was first called “creme de menthe” in reference to its velvety texture. French producers improved the recipe and eventually began exporting it around Europe and overseas.
Creme de menthe found an enthusiastic audience in the United States by the early 1900s. American bartenders embraced it as a unique flavoring for cocktails. The grasshopper cocktail, made with creme de menthe and cream, became a classic. Creme de menthe cocktails and desserts reached the height of popularity during the retro-themed Mad Men era of the 1950s and 60s.
How Creme de Menthe is Made
Authentic creme de menthe is made by distilling alcohol with mint leaves and sometimes other herbs, spices, and flavorings. The process often starts by soaking fresh mint leaves in the alcohol to extract the aromatic oils. The mint-infused spirit is then distilled multiple times. Sugar is added to sweeten and balance the mint flavor. Finally, ingredients like vanilla and food coloring may be blended in to achieve the desired texture and hue.
Lower quality and artificial creme de menthe products use chemical flavorings rather than real mint distillates. However, traditional brands use only natural mint extracts for authentic flavor. The high-quality ingredients and multiple distillation process result in the smooth, creamy mouthfeel associated with creme de menthe liqueur.
History of the Creme de Menthe Torte
While creme de menthe liqueur dates back centuries, creme de menthe torte is a more recent invention. It became popular in the 1950s as an elegant dessert for dinner parties and weddings.
The cake’s origins can be traced back to Chicago, where a now-closed restaurant named the Walnut Room at Marshall Field’s department store was known for its version of a mint chocolate torte. Food writer Poppy Cannon published a creme de menthe torte recipe in her 1957 cookbook “The Can-Opener Cookbook.” Cannon’s recipe inspired countless versions of the torte across America over the following decades.
The dessert remains a mid-century classic that conjures images of 1950s sophistication and retro dinner party style. It continues to be a popular choice for wedding cakes and special occasion dessert tables.
Creme de Menthe Torte’s Pop Culture Appearances
The creme de menthe torte made several memorable pop culture appearances that amplified its popularity:
– In the Donna Reed Show episode “The Sweetest Party” (1960), Donna makes a multi-layer creme de menthe cake. The episode highlights the cake as a glamorous trend.
– In Mad Men (2007), Betty Draper brings a creme de menthe torte to a dinner party in the season 1 episode “Shoot.” The cake is shown as a symbol of Betty’s picture-perfect 1950s hostess skills.
– In Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017), Midge eats a slice of creme de menthe torte when she visits the swanky Waldorf Astoria hotel. The dessert highlights the elegant, retro setting.
How to Make Creme de Menthe Torte
The ingredients for creme de menthe torte are simple, but assembling the layered cake does take some time and skill. Here is an overview of how to make this classic dessert:
Cake Base
The base is a moist, dense chocolate cake baked in a sheet pan or cake pans. It should be chocolatey but not overly rich. Common recipes call for:
– All-purpose flour
– Unsweetened cocoa powder
– Butter or oil
– Granulated sugar
– Eggs
– Milk
– Vanilla extract
– Salt
– Baking powder and/or soda
The batter is baked and cooled completely before filling and frosting.
Mint Filling
A thin mint filling or buttercream provides the fresh mint flavor. It may contain:
– Butter
– Confectioners’ sugar
– Creme de menthe liqueur
– Peppermint extract
– Green food coloring (optional)
The filling ingredients are creamed together into a smooth consistency and spread onto the cake layers before stacking and frosting.
Frosting
The luxurious frosting brings everything together. Traditional recipes call for:
– Butter
– Confectioners’ sugar
– Creme de menthe liqueur
– Heavy cream or milk
The soft frosting has a light green color from additional creme de menthe and an airy texture from whipping the cream and butter. After frosting the filled cake layers, the torte can be garnished with chocolate shavings.
Serving Suggestions
Creme de menthe torte is often served in thin slices so guests can fully enjoy multiple layers in each bite. Garnish plates with fresh mint leaves or curls of chocolate. Offer coffee, tea, or even creme de menthe cocktails as beverage pairings. Display the torte proudly – it makes a beautiful centerpiece!
Unique Flavor Combinations in Creme de Menthe Torte
While classic creme de menthe torte recipes remain popular, some modern versions experiment with unique twists:
Mint-Chocolate Combos
Adding chocolate chips, ganache, fudge, or curls amps up the chocolate-mint flavor. This enhances the “mint chocolate chip” taste profile.
Candy-Inspired Creations
Peppermint candies, candy canes, or pieces of chocolate mints can be creatively incorporated into the filling or frosting for sweet mint bursts.
Seasonal Spices
Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger complement the cool mintiness in wintertime versions.
Citrus and Berry Accents
Fruity flavors like lemon, lime, raspberry, or strawberry provide a tangy contrast to the mint in summery torte variations.
Herbal and Floral Additions
Ingredients like lavender, rose, cardamom, basil, or Earl Grey tea blend nicely with mint’s herbal notes.
The options are endless for putting creative spins on this vintage cake. Part of the fun is tweaking the classic torte template to invent new flavor profiles.
Why Creme de Menthe Torte Stands the Test of Time
Creme de menthe torte has remained an enduring and beloved recipe for over 60 years. Here are some reasons why it continues to be a go-to dessert for holidays, weddings, and celebrations:
Timeless Flavors
The combination of chocolate, mint, and cream simply works – it’s hard to improve on these timeless, crowd-pleasing flavors. The balance of rich and refreshing is highly craveable.
Retro Appeal
Creme de menthe torte invokes nostalgia for vintage 1950s parties and old-school Americana. It transports you back to an elegant, stylish setting.
Texture Variety
Each layer offers a different texture experience – the crunchy cake base, the smooth filling, the light and fluffy frosting. This makes every bite dynamic.
Visual Appeal
With its distinctive cool green color, pretty layers, and chocolate garnish, the torte looks as good as it tastes. It’s very photogenic for the Instagram age.
Customization Options
The basic torte template can be tweaked with different mint varieties, chocolate choices, cake flavors, and decorating styles. This flexibility adds to its lasting power.
Where to Find the Best Creme de Menthe Torte
Although you can make creme de menthe torte at home, some bakeries have perfected extraordinary versions:
Zabar’s (New York City)
This iconic gourmet market offers slices of gorgeous, triple-layered creme de menthe torte. The filling contains spearmint for a refreshing flavor.
Monkey Bakery (Dallas, Texas)
Locals rave about the mint torte from this neighborhood bakery. It’s layered with chocolate fudge and fluffy mint buttercream.
Dianda’s Italian Bakery (Kingsford, Michigan)
A family-run UP Michigan bakery praised for its creme de menthe masterpiece – a moist chocolate base topped with mint mousse and frosted with buttercream.
The Capital Grille
The national steakhouse chain offers a signature creme de menthe torte for dessert. It’s coated in rich ganache and decorated with chocolate shavings.
The Ritz-Carlton
Many Ritz hotels offer lavish, suitably decadent creme de menthe tortes. Their pastry chefs load the dessert with chocolate ganache and Valrhona chocolate curls.
How to Store and Serve Leftover Creme de Menthe Torte
With proper storage, leftover creme de menthe torte can retain its flavor for up to a week. Here are some tips:
Storage
– Cover tightly in plastic wrap or cake dome. This prevents the cake from drying out.
– Refrigerate unused torte. The cold environment maximizes freshness.
– Allow refrigerated torte to come nearly to room temperature before serving to prevent frosting from cracking.
– Torte may also be frozen for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Serving
– Leftover torte often tastes best with freshly brewed coffee or tea. The beverages complement the mint flavor.
– Slice leftovers into petite portions and serve on pretty saucers for a delicate dessert presentation.
– Garnish plates with chocolate curls, fresh berries, or mint sprigs to dress up leftover slices.
– Use leftover torte as the base for trifle or cake pops to transform it into something new.
– Infuse cream or milk with fresh mint and pour over slices for added flavor.
With proper TLC, creme de menthe torte leftovers can be as delicious as the original dessert. Get creative in using up the remains of this vintage cake.
Conclusion
Creme de menthe torte is a storied dessert with fascinating retro roots and enduring popularity. The trinity of chocolate cake, minty filling, and creamy frosting adds up to pure bliss on a plate. Creme de menthe’s refreshing yet indulgent flavor profile gives this torte broad appeal.
While the classic version will always be in style, there’s also room for innovation. The template can be reinvented with different herbs, spices, liqueurs, chocolate choices, and decorations. Each layer provides an opportunity for creativity.
Part of creme de menthe torte’s mystique lies in the glamor of creme de menthe itself. The liqueur conjures images of stylish vintage cocktails and elegant old-world European liqueurs. Using creme de menthe to flavor desserts was the height of postwar sophistication.
Creme de menthe torte remains a beloved specialty at upscale restaurants and artisan bakeries for good reason. When expertly executed, every component – the soft cake, minty filling, gentle sweetness, and cloud-like frosting – is sublime. Just one slice whisks you back to the golden age of dinner parties.