Chocolate Hazelnut Schaum Torte: A Family Recipe Revival Recipe

Unless you’re from Wisconsin, you may never have heard of Schaum Torte (foam cake), a favorite among German immigrant families. You may have heard of this dessert called simply "a meringue," “Pavlova” or even a "Bizet." Essentially all of the desserts are one in the same -- meringue, filled with sweetened whipped cream, and topped with fruit.

Like pavlova, there are two schools of thought when it comes to schaum torte -- one side insists that the meringue be crisp on the outside, but squoodgy (marshmallowy) in the center; the other camp insists that a good schaum torte is dried and crisp throughout.

My family staunchly swears by the first approach. In fact, I actually grew up utterly convinced that the women at church who…