Every great recipe has a story, and Torta Caprese is no exception. The most widely shared legend dates back to the 1920s, when a Neapolitan pastry chef named Carmine Di Fiore (crazy coincidence- that's my Italian last name!) was baking a chocolate almond cake for a group of American gangsters who had come to Capri on business to pick up leather spuds for Al Capone.
In his stress in not disappointing the mobsters, Di Fiore completely forgot to add flour to the cake batter. A baking disaster? Not quite. Instead of ruining the cake, the mistake resulted in a rich, moist, and slightly chewy texture that was nothing short of spectacular. (Caprese is like the sexy Italian cousin of the American Brownie.) His flourless creation became an instant hit, spreading beyond the island of Capri and earning its place in Italian culinary history.
And just like that, thanks to one absent-minded baker (and a few hungry gangsters), Torta Caprese was born.
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Cultural Significance: More Than Just a Cake
Torta Caprese isn’t just a dessert—it’s a symbol of Italian culinary heritage.
1. A Capri Icon
Walk into any café on the island of Capri, and you’ll likely find slices of this dark chocolate beauty served with a light dusting of powdered sugar and, if you’re lucky, a side of freshly whipped cream or berries. It’s an absolute must-try if you ever visit the island.
2. A Flourless Wonder
Long before gluten-free baking became trendy, Torta Caprese was ahead of its time. Made with ground almonds instead of flour, it has a naturally rich and nutty flavor that complements the dark chocolate beautifully. However, as yours truly is actually gluten intolerant (and a chocolate-worshipping fiend,) this cake is one of my favorite Italian cakes!
3. Modern Variations
Like any great recipe, Torta Caprese has evolved. While the classic version is made with dark chocolate and almonds, you’ll now find variations that incorporate lemon zest, orange liqueur, white chocolate, and even coffee to give it a different twist. But no matter the version, one thing remains the same—it’s always, always delicious.
Prefer a video tutorial? Watch the recording from my Italian Baking Masterclass Live Caprese Workshop.
How to Make Torta Caprese: A Foolproof Recipe
Now that we’ve covered the backstory, let’s get to the good stuff: baking your very own Torta Caprese.
Ingredients:
To create this delicious & easy Italian dessert, you’ll need:
200g butter, softened (~1 cup)
5 eggs
150g sugar (~¾ cup)
A pinch of salt
200g dark chocolate (~7 oz)
250g unshelled almonds (~2 cups)
Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions: Step-by-Step Guide to Italian Dessert Perfection
1. Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Line a cake pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Chop the Chocolate and Almonds
In a bimby (The Italian word for thermomix, can substitute other food processor, like a Cuisine Art or Vitamix,) chop your dark chocolate and almonds and set them aside.
3. Blend the Batter
In the same bimbi, combine:
Softened butter
Eggs
Sugar
A pinch of salt
Mix for 40 seconds on medium speed until the ingredients are well incorporated.
4. Add the Chocolate and Almonds
Add the chopped chocolate and almonds to your batter. Blend everything together for another 30 seconds (or more) until you get a thick, brownie-like batter.
Pro Tip: You may have to pause blending and stir the batter with a spatula and re-blend a couple times to ensure that the batter is the same consistency all the way through.
5. Bake to Perfection
Pour the batter into your lined cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
How to know it’s done:
Insert a toothpick or piece of dry spaghetti into the center. If it comes out slightly gooey, that’s perfect! The cake will continue to set as it cools.
6. Cool & Serve
Once baked, let the cake cool completely before removing it from the pan. Dust generously with powdered sugar, slice it up, and serve with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream.
And just like that, you’ve mastered one of the most iconic Italian chocolate almond cakes in history.
Bonus: Make a Summery Lemon Version! 🍋
If you’re looking for a fresher, lighter take on this classic, swap out the dark chocolate for white chocolate and add:
Juice of 2 lemons
Zest of 4 lemons
This citrusy variation is perfect for warm weather and adds a delicious zing to the original.
Final Thoughts: Why You NEED to Make This Cake
Torta Caprese isn’t just a cake—it’s a piece of Italian history wrapped in dark chocolate and almonds. It’s simple to make, naturally gluten-free, and effortlessly elegant. Whether you’re indulging in a slice with your morning espresso or serving it up for dessert at a dinner party, this cake never disappoints.
And let’s not forget—if it was good enough for 1920s gangsters, it’s definitely good enough for us.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let’s get baking!
Buon appetito!
I made Caprese, now what?
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Here are some other recipes you may enjoy:
Un bacio,
Amby