Huguenot Torte
A Huguenot Torte is an iconic Charleston, SC dessert that’s packed with apples and pecans. It’s a delicious way to celebrate fall baking season!
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As a kid, I grew up in downtown Charleston, SC. It wasn’t until years later (after my family moved away) that I realized how unique and different that experience was. I grew up selling lemonade to tourists on my front porch steps. (The key was setting up your lemonade table before the kids next door set up their table!)
Our house was build in the mid-1800’s. It made lots of strange noises, and guests that stayed with us swore it was haunted. If I dug in the backyard, it was common to find bits of broken pottery or bones. Supposedly broken pottery was just discarded outside…and bits and pieces of that pottery are still buried there. Sadly, I never found any buried pirates’ treasure. I looked. A lot. But no luck.
Huguenot Torte
Another unique thing about Charleston was it’s food. Over the years, I’ve shared a lot of iconic Charleston recipes here on the blog, and today we’re adding another one to the list. The Huguenot Torte is a unique dessert made up almost entirely of chopped nuts and apples. There’s a tiny bit of flour (just ¼ cup) that helps hold it all together, but the nuts and apples are the shining star in this dessert.
It is believed that the Huguenot Torte is a variation of a Midwestern dessert called Ozark Pudding. Once again, the name is misleading – there’s nothing remotely pudding about this dessert! One story says that the dessert baker at Charleston’s Huguenot Tavern discovered this recipe at a family gathering in Texas. She brought the concept back to Charleston where she named it after the restaurant where she worked.
But enough of the backstory – let’s talk about the recipe itself! As noted above, the Huguenot Torte isn’t really a torte at all. In fact, you’ll have better luck serving this dessert with a flat spatula or even a spoon – it’s somewhat similar to a cobbler. The filling is almost entirely made up of apples, pecans and sugar. A couple of eggs and a tiny bit of flour forms a very thin batter that helps hold the whole thing together.
The Huguenot Torte might be one of Charleston’s best kept secrets! I associate this dessert with early autumn as the nuts and apples give it a very seasonal vibe. Oh, and your house will smell amazing while this one is in the oven! I do recommend serving this dessert with a dollop of real whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream. I hope you enjoy this one as much as we do here in our house!
Did you make this Huguenot Torte at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog) – I’d love to see your version!
Huguenot Torte
Ingredients
For the Torte
- 2 large eggs
- 1⅓ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large green apple peeled, cored and diced
- 1¼ cups chopped pecans divided
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
For the Whipped Cream
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 Tbsp confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
For the Torte
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Spray a 9” square baking pan with non-stick baking spray; set pan aside.
- Using an electric mixer, beat eggs for 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed, or until eggs are frothy and light yellow in color.
- Add sugar, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, diced apples, 1 cup of chopped pecans and vanilla extract; mix until just combined.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking pan. (Tip: Use an offset spatula to smooth the top of the batter before baking.)
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until top is golden brown and crusty.
- Let torte cool for 30 minutes before serving.
For the Whipped Cream
- Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy whipping cream and confectioner’s sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Divide torte onto plates and top with whipped cream and remaining ¼ cup of chopped pecans. (Tip: A large spatula is the best way to transfer this torte onto serving plates!)
Looking for more iconic Charleston, SC recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
cant wait to make this soon for me for the whipped cream can i use coconut cream i never had huguenot torte before perfect for my after office snacks love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Yes! I’ve never whipped coconut cream myself, but I have heard that it can be whipped like traditional whipped cream. Give it a try!
it’s always wonderful baking with cinnamon as the house smells delicious. this sounds fabulous david! I guess you are all settled in your new home now?
I agree, Sherry! Part of the fun of baking is the smells that fill your home. I love that part! And, yes, we are 99% settled in at the new place. We still have a few pictures to hang and a couple renovation projects, but those are a bit longer term. We love it here in Asheville! 🙂
As much as I don’t make desserts, I was intrigued by the name. I don’t even know who the Huguenots were cause I was so bad at history. But it really does sound wonderful. And not too sweet!
So in reading about this one, I’m not sure it’s even related to the actual Huguenots who settled in Charleston in the late 1600’s. Rather, it took it’s name from Huguenot Tavern in Charleston. Either way, it’s a fun recipe – almost entirely apples and nuts!
I’ve never heard of huguenot torte before but from the sounds of it, I know I’d love it! With apples, pecans and cinnamon, I mean, what’s not to love?! And served with whipped cream? Now you’re talking! This one certainly wouldn’t last long in our home. 🙂 Bet it would pair lovely with a latte or big cuppa coffee!
The fun thing about a Huguenot Torte is that it’s almost entirely apples, pecans and baking spices. There’s just barely enough batter to hold it all together. It’s unique…but it’s also delicious, and perfect for this time of the year! It definitely would go well with a cup of coffee!
You have my attention with this Huguenot Torte, David! (Though I have no idea how to say the first word, haha.) Love that it’s so chunky and all about the apples and nuts. An ideal treat for autumn!
We lived in a century-old house for about a decade and boy do they talk to you. And boy do the windows never open!! 😉
Hah! This dessert really is perfect for autumn with all of the apples and nuts in it. As far as old houses, they really do have a personality. I remember when we moved out of the house in Charleston, I was shocked that the new house didn’t make as many creaks and other noises. 🙂
I’ve never heard of a Huguenot torte before, and it definitely sounds delicious to enjoy during autumn. I’m up for anything apple this time of year!
I do admit that the Huguenot torte is a bit odd. There’s barely enough batter to hold it all together…but it’s still quite delicious. Basically apples and nuts with cinnamon, or you could just call it “autumn in a pan.” 🙂
My family can’t eat nuts…. What do you think about adding a handful of chopped caramels???
Hey Mary! I think the flavor would be absolutely fine with the caramels – it would be fantastic actually! My only concern is whether the nuts help hold the dessert together… I say give it a try, but it will likely be the kind of dessert that you spoon into a bowl – perhaps over a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
This recipe has been a huge success in Pennsylvania, after we discovered it in Charleston. Guests are seen digging away at the left over pieces in the pan after dinner.
Quick question. If you need to make it in advance, what temp and timing would you recommend to crisp it up again before serving it?
Hey Joan! I’m so glad you enjoy this recipe – it certainly is a unique one, but it’s delicious! As far as reheating, I’d recommend ~10-15 minutes at 350°F. Happy baking!