Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Cake (Torte Caprese)
Craving a rich, decadent chocolate hazelnut cake?? Then Torte Caprese is a for you. This chocolatey, nutty, moist and yummy bella cioccolato torte originates from Isle of Capri. It is typically made with almonds but I couldn’t resist trying it with toasted hazelnuts because that is what I had in my pantry. ..The hazelnuts worked perfectly delicioso.. . Look how pretty it is…
It is baked in a buttered 9″ springform pan that is lined on the bottom with buttered parchment paper to prevent sticking. Because the torte is flourless, the eggs are separated and the egg whites are whipped to lighten the cake’s dense texture. The whipped egg whites are gently folded into a batter of chocolate, butter, sugar, egg yolks and toasted ground nuts and then carefully poured into the springform pan. The cake bakes for 40-50 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Don’t overcook it ..test center with a toothpick and if it comes out clean…it is done.
- 1 -3/4 sticks of sweet cream butter
- 6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips – good quality
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 7 oz toasted hazelnuts, or almonds, ground in food processor
- Optional toppings
- 8 oz. heavy cream whipped with 3 tbsps. confectioners sugar
- 4 oz hazelnuts or almonds toasted
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Prepare 9″ springform pan by lining bottom with a round piece of parchment paper then butter paper and sides of pan-to prevent sticking. set aside
- Melt butter and chocolate chips in double broiler until melted and then turn off heat.
- Whip 4 egg whites in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form- set aside
- Beat 4 egg yolks in another mixing bowl with sugar until mixture turns a light yellow color. , add melted chocolate, sugar mixture and then fold in ground toasted nuts.
- Gently fold in the whipped egg whites into chocolate mixture and mix well until combined but remains light.
- Pour chocolate mixture into prepared springform pan and bake in oven for 40-50 minutes
- Test center of cake with a toothpick and if it comes out clean, it is done.
- Remove from oven and cool on rack
- Whip cream with confection sugar.
- When cake is cool, top each piece with sweetened whip cream and toasted hazelnuts.
Cool on rack and then remove from pan…Serve each delicious piece with sweetened whip cream and toasted hazelnuts on top… . Go ahead…dig in………bella cioccolato!!
