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    Home » Italian Recipes » Desserts

    Torta Caprese

    November 11, 2022 by angelakallison 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    torta caprese

    Torta Caprese is the classic Italian Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe that originates from the Isle of Capri. This simple Italian dessert comes together in just minutes and is great for any occasion!

    Torta Caprese on a white plate with a checkered napkin in the background.

    Torta Caprese is a simple Italian cake made with just almond flour, chocolate, eggs, butter, and sugar. This cake is smooth and moist with an almost fudge-like consistency.

    If you love traditional Italian desserts, don't miss my fan-favorite Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake or this Italian Apple Cake. For another almond flour cake, don't miss this Almond Flour Apple Cake recipe. For a three-ingredient cake, try my Italian Sponge Cake recipe.

    Why You Need to Make this Recipe

    Torta Caprese is a subtly sweet dessert that's a great way to end a meal. It's a slightly dense and rich cake that won't leave you stuffed.

    The Italians like to keep recipes simple, including desserts. You're going to love that this cake is naturally gluten-free and great for anyone looking to avoid flour. Additionally, there are no leavening agents added.

    What makes this cake so rich and slightly dense are the eggs. The yolks are beaten with sugar to make a thick rich custard and the egg whites are whipped and folded into the batter to add volume.

    Torta Caprese on a white plate with a checkered napkin in the background.

    You can trust that this recipe has been tested and perfected! It was even a 2022 Golden Recipe contest winner so you know it's going to be great!

    So, if you are looking for a light and fudge-like cake that's simple and delicious, then you have to make this Torta Caprese recipe!

    Ingredients

    ingredients needed to make recipe are butter, eggs, sugar, almond flour, and sugar.

    The ingredients for Torta Caprese are: dark chocolate, almond flour, eggs, sugar, and butter.

    • Dark Chocolate: use a dark chocolate that is about 70% cacao. Dark chocolate that is anywhere between 60-85% is fine.
    • Almond Flour: make sure you are using almond flour and not almond meal.
    • Eggs: use room temperature large eggs.
    • Sugar: here just use regular granulated sugar.
    • Butter: unsalted or salted butter work here.

    How to Make Torta Caprese

    Torta Caprese is traditionally made in a springform pan. You can use a 8 or 9 inch pan. However, if you have an 8 inch springform that will give you a slightly thicker cake.

    This recipe seems to have a lot of steps, but they are simple to do and necessary for the best cake texture. To start, grease and line a springform pan with parchment; set aside.

    process shots showing how to make recipe including melting the chocolate over a double boiler and whisking the egg whites until fluffy.

    Step 1: break up chocolate and melt it over a double boiler. To make a double boiler, place water in a saucepan and bring to a low boil. Place bowl of chocolate over the water, without touching the water.

    Step 2: stir the chocolate until it is melted. Then, stir in the cubed butter and continue stirring until it is melted. Remove from double boiler and set aside to cool.

    Step 3: separate the eggs and place the yolks in one bowl and the whites in an another. To the bowl of yolks, add the sugar. Use an electric mixer to mix together the sugar and yolks until light and fluffy; about 2 minutes.

    Step 4: use the electric mixer to beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks; about 5 minutes. Set aside.

    process shots showing how to make recipe including mixing the batter and pouring into the pan.

    Step 5: pour the cooled chocolate and the almond flour into the bowl with the egg yolks and sugar. Use a rubber spatula to mix until well combined.

    Step 6: use the spatula to gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Mix until well combined and whites are no longer present in the batter.

    Baking

    Step 7: pour the cake mixture in the prepared pan. Bake on the center rack of the oven for 30-35 minutes just until the cake starts to pull away from the edges of pan (it may take longer if using an 8 inch springform). Be careful not to over bake.

    Step 8: cool the baked cake in the pan on a wire rack completely before removing the collar.

    Finishing the Torta Caprese

    Once the cake has cooled, you can release the collar. Place the cake on a serving plate and dust with powdered sugar.

    torta caprese on a white plate dusted with powder sugar on a checkered napkin.

    You can serve this cake on its own or with a side of berries. Alternatively, you can serve Torta Caprese with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

    Expert Tips

    • Use a good quality dark chocolate here. The recipe calls for 70% cacao, but you can do anything from 60-85% cacao.
    • Be sure you are using almond flour and not almond meal, which would be too coarse.
    • Take the time to whip the egg yolks and sugar, as well as the egg whites. It's necessary to get them to the ideal consistency for the cake to stay fluffy.
    • An 8-inch springform pan is ideal if you want a thicker more dense cake.
    • Cool the cake completely before removing the collar from the pan.
    slice of torta caprese on a white plate.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Torta Caprese?

    Torta Caprese is a slightly-sweet, dense flourless Italian chocolate cake made with just 5 ingredients: dark chocolate, almond flour, eggs, butter, and sugar. It is said to have originated in the Isle of Capri as a mistake when a chef forgot to add flour to a cake he was making. It's now become a common Italian dessert with many different variations.

    How to I know my Torta Caprese is done baking?

    You'll know your cake is ready when the sides of the cake begin to pull away from the pan. Because of the dense and fudge-like texture of this cake, a toothpick may not be sufficient to test for doneness.

    Why is my Torta Caprese thin?

    This cake may be different that other cakes you are used it. It is more dense and thin, giving you a delicious fudge-like texture in every bite.

    How to store leftover Torta Caprese?

    Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It can be frozen for up to a month.

    slice of torta caprese on a white plate with a checkered napkin.

    Italian Chocolate Desserts

    • Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake | Italian Dessert
    • Italian Almond Chocolate Cookies
    • No Bake Cannoli Cheesecake
    • Cannoli Pound Cake

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    torta caprese is a delicious Italian flourless chocolate cake on a checkered napkin.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Torta Caprese

    Torta Caprese is an Italian flourless chocolate cake recipe that originated on the isle of Capri. Simple and slightly sweet, this is a classic dessert you don't want to miss!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: torta caprese
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 275kcal
    Author: Angela Allison
    Cost: 7-8

    Equipment

    • 8 or 9 inch springform pan

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup dark chocolate (about 70% cacao) 150 grams
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, cubed
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 3 large eggs, separated
    • 1 ¾ cups almond flour 185 grams

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and line a springform pan; set aside.
    • Over a double broiler, melt the chocolate. Once melted, stir in the butter until melted and incorporated into the chocolate. Set aside to cool.
    • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to mix together the sugar and egg yolks until light and frothy; about 2 minutes.
    • In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form; about 4 minutes.
    • Pour the cooled chocolate and almond flour into the bowl with the butter and sugar; mix until well combined. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the egg whites. Pour the batter into the greased springform pan.
    • Bake on the center rack for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake starts to pull away from the edges of the pan. Be careful not to over bake. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before removing the collar. Dust with powdered sugar before serving (optional).

    Video

    Notes

    • Use a good quality dark chocolate here. The recipe calls for 70% cacao, but you can do anything from 60-85% cacao.
    • Be sure you are using almond flour and not almond meal, which would be too coarse.
    • Take the time to whip the egg yolks and sugar, as well as the egg whites. It's necessary to get them to the ideal consistency for the cake to stay fluffy.
    • An 8-inch springform pan is ideal if you want a thicker more dense cake.
    • Be sure the cake is completely cooled before removing the collar of the pan.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 308IU | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tara

      November 11, 2022 at 7:31 am

      5 stars
      Such a beautiful and easy dessert! I love the flavors and the texture looks fantastic.

      Reply
    2. Dannii

      November 11, 2022 at 7:37 am

      5 stars
      I love anything with almond flour and this looks incredible. I am definitely trying it this weekend.

      Reply
    3. Aimee Mars

      November 11, 2022 at 7:46 am

      This really is the perfect dessert. I try to have simple dessert recipes like this one always on hand. I've never made torta Caprese though so I can't wait to try it out.

      Reply
    4. Kerri

      November 11, 2022 at 7:51 am

      5 stars
      I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite desserts! I love dark chocolate and I'm definitely going to be making this soon!

      Reply
    5. Janet Trentini

      November 19, 2022 at 12:50 pm

      5 stars
      Bravo !!!❣️

      Reply
      • angelakallison

        November 23, 2022 at 6:36 pm

        Grazie!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Angela, the recipe creator of This Italian Kitchen. Cooking alongside her Italian family, she grew up creating authentic meals and desserts.

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