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Side view of Sachertorte from Café Sabarsky (New York City).

Sachertorte

Austrian chocolate sponge cake with apricot jam and a glossy chocolate glaze

Photo: Hellokitty893112 at en.wikipedia, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Sachertorte is a classic Viennese chocolate sponge cake layered with apricot jam and covered in a smooth chocolate glaze. Created by Franz Sacher in the mid-19th century, it is a hallmark of Austrian baking and often served with whipped cream. The cake is especially popular in Vienna, where Hotel Sacher and Demel are famous for their own versions.

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  • Invented by Franz Sacher in Vienna in the 19th century
  • Chocolate sponge cake with apricot jam and chocolate glaze
  • Hotel Sacher and Demel are famous for their rival versions
  • Legally defined in Austria's food codex
  • Traditionally served with unsweetened whipped cream

What is Sachertorte?

Sachertorte is a layered chocolate sponge cake with a glossy chocolate glaze and a layer or two of apricot jam. The cake is made from a batter of butter, eggs, flour, sugar, and at least 15% chocolate by weight, sometimes with added vanilla or rum. The apricot jam is spread over the top and, in multi-layer versions, between the layers. The glaze sets to a fudge-like finish, giving the cake a smooth, shiny surface. It is usually served with unsweetened whipped cream on the side.

Where does Sachertorte come from?

Sachertorte was invented by Franz Sacher in Vienna in the mid-19th century, possibly in 1832 while he was apprenticed to Prince Metternich’s kitchen. The exact date and circumstances are debated, with some accounts placing its creation in the 1840s. The cake was thinner in its earliest form and inspired by earlier Austrian chocolate cakes. Sachertorte gained fame through cookbooks and the opening of Hotel Sacher in 1876, eventually becoming a symbol of Viennese pastry.

How is Sachertorte made?

To make Sachertorte, bakers cream butter, melted chocolate, egg yolks, vanilla, and sugar, then fold in flour and beaten egg whites to create a light sponge. The cake is baked, then split into one or two layers. Apricot jam is spread over the top and between layers if there are two. A warm chocolate glaze is poured over the cake, setting to a smooth, fudge-like finish. Some versions are decorated with a chocolate seal or the word 'Sacher' piped on top.

Sachertorte from the Hotel Sacher, Vienna.
Sachertorte from the Hotel Sacher, Vienna.. Photo: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hotel Sacher, Wien
Hotel Sacher, Wien. Photo: Tiefkuehlfan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This photo/audio/video is related to the intangible cultural heritage indexed by the Austrian Commission for UNESCO as (UNESCO: de , en ) ( commons , de ) .
This photo/audio/video is related to the intangible cultural heritage indexed by the Austrian Commission for UNESCO as (. Photo: Geolina163, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sachertorte in der Auslage neben dem Hotel Sacher in Wien Kärntnerstraße fotografiert 09 /2005
Sachertorte in der Auslage neben dem Hotel Sacher in Wien Kärntnerstraße fotografiert 09 /2005. Photo: Karl Gruber, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Sachertorte eaten?

Sachertorte is typically enjoyed as a dessert or with afternoon coffee or tea. In Austria, it is served with a generous spoonful of unsweetened whipped cream, which balances the cake’s richness. It is a popular treat in Viennese cafés and is often bought as a souvenir. The cake keeps well at room temperature due to its high butter content, making it suitable for gifting and shipping.

Kinds of Sachertorte

The two most famous versions are from Hotel Sacher, which uses two layers of sponge, and Demel, which has used both one and two layers. Some modern recipes use three layers or add ingredients like rum or nuts, but only cakes with apricot jam and chocolate glaze can be called Sachertorte under Austrian food law. Other fruit jams or extra flavors create different cakes, not Sachertorte.

What Sachertorte means

Sachertorte is a point of pride in Austria and is legally defined in the Austrian food codex. The cake’s name and recipe were the subject of a long legal battle between Hotel Sacher and Demel, two leading Viennese pastry shops. Today, both sell their own versions, and the cake is shipped worldwide, especially around Christmas. It is a fixture in Austrian cafés and a symbol of Viennese culinary tradition.

Questions people ask about Sachertorte

What is Sachertorte made of?

Sachertorte is made from chocolate sponge cake, apricot jam, and a chocolate glaze. The batter includes butter, eggs, flour, sugar, and at least 15% chocolate by weight.

Where does Sachertorte come from?

Sachertorte was created in Vienna, Austria, by Franz Sacher in the mid-19th century. It is closely associated with Viennese cafés and pastry shops.

How is Sachertorte served?

In Austria, Sachertorte is served with a dollop of unsweetened whipped cream. It is enjoyed as a dessert or with coffee or tea, often in cafés.

What makes Sachertorte different from other chocolate cakes?

Sachertorte stands out for its combination of chocolate sponge, a layer of apricot jam, and a glossy chocolate glaze. Its name and recipe are regulated by Austrian law.

Are there different versions of Sachertorte?

Yes, the two most famous are from Hotel Sacher, with two sponge layers, and Demel, which has used both one and two layers. Other bakeries may add extra layers or flavors, but only cakes with apricot jam and chocolate glaze are called Sachertorte.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Sachertorte", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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