Italian desserts are well-known, and there are several popular Italian cakes to choose from. Here’s a recipe for “Torta Caprese,” a rich and moist chocolate and almond cake popular in Italy:
Ingredients:
- 200g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), chopped
- 200g unsalted butter, softened
- 200g granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 200g ground almonds
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Optional: whipped cream or vanilla gelato, for servin
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the dark chocolate, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each add ition.
- Gradually add the ground almonds, all-purpose flour, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the melted chocolate into the batter and fold it in gently until fully incorporated.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cake has cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar.
- Slice the Italian cake and serve it as is, or garnish each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla gelato, if desired.
The Torta Caprese is a decadent and rich cake that goes well with a cup of espresso or a glass of dessert wine. Enjoy the delectable flavors of this classic Italian dessert!