The recipe makes one 9 ½-inch torte.
But all cheap stores were out of the 9 ½-inch pop=out bottom tart pans...so I settled for a cheap set of 8 tiny pop-out bottom pans--not so cheap at $11 but just a dollar or two more than I'd allotted to spend on a regular pan. ...Now I have 8 tiny tart pans. If you come to my house for dinner, expect many tiny-tart-formed elements to the meal.
Anyway, I had to sort of guess and judge the baking time--just a little less than the recommended 40 minutes.
Most frustrating part? the lattice crust!!! man alive.
I have made complicated linzertorte cookies before--completely successfully--crisp, with tiny cut-outs, and lightly powdered sugar. But I'd not ever made a true linzertorte in a pan.
When I was in elementary school someone gave me an origami book and paper for my birthday--I remember wanting to make all of the great pictures, and I remember fury. I remember taking it out in my bedroom, alone, every now and then, determined to fold a whatever--and getting so angry I felt like spitting and grittng my teeth and ripping paper, hiding all signs of the defeat, eventually leaving my room, not letting on. Attempting the crust-weaving on these was a very similar experience. I hadn't felt that feeling of hand-frustration since about second grade... I actually had to step away from the stove-top work area... I had to put every thing in the freezer, and chill.
You can see in the photo linzertorte #1 (left corner) is very second grade angry--and the only reason it didn't end up thrown in the trash was because I reminded myself of the cost of ingredients--and that things taste fine even when they're ugly...and that I'm 32. not 8. ...I made myself press on.
And then linzertorte #2--much improved! It's sort of a fake lattice--(not woven)--however, it's much neater than #1-Linzer-of-Wrath--and the discipline and quick finger work, of which it was a product, was the true achievement, setting the groundwork for future improvement.
Most fun part? Popping the tarts out of the pans. like mechanical magic.
They tasted good.
I'll tell you this: I'm a master at origami now. The perfect lattice will come.
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