National Pecan Torte Day Date in the current year: August 22, 2024

Pecan nuts are the seeds of the pecan tree, native to the southern United States and northern Mexico. Although pecans are not nuts from botanical point of view, they are treated as such in culinary applications. Native and colonial Americans treated wild pecans as a delicacy, but their commercial cultivation began relatively late (in the 1880s). Since then, pecan pie has become a staple of the Southern United States.

A pecan torte is basically any torte made with pecans. The difference between a pecan pie and a pecan torte is that a pie is a type of pastry that consists of an outer crust and a filling, and a torte is a rich, usually, multilayered dessert that is typically glazed and garnished. The layers of a torte may consist of sponge cake or ingredients such as ground nuts or breadcrumbs, and common fillings include buttercream, whipped cream, jam, mousse, fruits, or some combination of the above. A pecan torte can incorporate pecans as the key ingredient in flourless layers, part of the filling, or decoration.

Naturally, the best way to celebrate National Pecan Torte Day is to treat yourself to a slice of rich and delicious pecan torte. You can get it at the nearest bakery, but where’s the fun in that? Baking the torte yourself is a much better option! Try, for example, the following recipe.

Place ¼ cup toasted pecans and 3 tbsp all-purpose flour in food processor until finely ground and well-blended. In a large bowl, combine 3 ounces chopped 70% bittersweet chocolate, ¾ cup granulated sugar and ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Add ½ cup boiling water and whisk until all the chocolate is melted. Add 2 egg yolks and 1 tbsp bourbon or rum, whisk until fully incorporated and smooth.

In a mixing bowl, combine 4 egg whites with ¼ tsp cream of tartar. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add ¼ cup sugar, continuing to beat on high speed until stiff. Whisk pecans and flour into the egg whites. Fold about ¼ egg white mixture into chocolate. When fully incorporated, fold in remaining egg white mixture.

Take a 9-inch round springform pan, line with parchment, and transfer the batter into the pan. Bake in the lower third of the oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes. Before serving, top the torte with powdered sugar, whipped cream or chocolate ganache (semisweet chocolate melted with cream and whisked together until smooth).

National Pecan Torte Day shouldn’t be confused with National Pecan Pie Day, celebrated on July 12. Other pecan-related holidays include National Pecan Day (April 14), National Pecan Sandy Day (June 23), National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day (August 20), and National Pecan Cookie Day (September 21). If you’re a fan of pecans and/or delicious desserts, you can celebrate them all!