Sachertorte (UK: /ˈzæxərtɔːrtə/ ZAKH-ər-tor-tə, US: /ˈsɑːkərtɔːrt/ SAH-kər-tort; German: [ˈzaxɐˌtɔʁtə] ⓘ) is a chocolate cake, or torte, of Austrian origin,[1][2] invented by Franz Sacher,[3] supposedly in 1832 for Prince Metternich in Vienna.

The story goes that Sacher was required to create a novel cake when the chef was ill.[7] The Metternich connection was probably invented by Eduard many years later, to appeal to "Viennese nostalgia for their imperial past".

Those privy to it claim that the secret to the Sachertorte's desirability lies not in the ingredients of the cake itself, but rather those of the chocolate icing.

[13] According to widely available information, the icing consists of three special types of chocolate, which are produced exclusively by different manufacturers for this sole purpose.

This includes four golden corners on the wooden box, the wood engraving of the Hotel Sacher Wien as well as "Das Original" and "Hotel Sacher Wien" in writing in the inside of the lid, and bordeaux red wrapping paper with a Biedermeier motif.