A moist, light gluten-free chocolate almond cake recipe inspired by the Italian island of Capri.
This dense flourless chocolate cake has a moist texture, and is rich with chocolate flavor.
The recipe was inspired by a classic Torta Caprese, a cake recipe from the Italian Amalfi Coast.
What is Caprese Cake?
Caprese cake (also known as Torta Caprese) is a traditional flourless chocolate cake from the island of Capri, in the Campania region of Italy.
Traditionally, the cake is made with ground almonds, and doesn’t include wheat flour (which happens to make it a perfect dessert for a gluten-free lifestyle).
As a result, the texture of the cake bakes into a rich, decadent treat that absolutely satisfies any chocolate craving.
The one I’m sharing here is inspired by one of my favorite cookbooks, Wild Rosemary & Lemon Cake, a collection of recipes and gorgeous photography focused on recipes from the area along the Amalfi Coast, just south of Naples.
Looking at the pages of this book in the dead of winter is like transporting yourself to a cliffside patio in Positano, lazily sipping limoncello.
Doesn’t that sound about right?
There’s nothing like being transported to magical place, even if it’s imagined. It still has a magical effect on your well-being.
And let’s be real — so does a generous slice of flourless chocolate cake!
I actually love days when a serious snowfall or rainy weather forces us to stay home.
It looks quietly beautiful through the windows of a warm house and there’s none of the driving to and fro required on every other day.
As always, chocolate is a welcome solace and a motivation to bake something.
How to serve Flourless Chocolate Almond Caprese Cake
Caprese cake is often simply dusted with confectioner’s sugar for serving.
But I sometimes finish mine with my absolute favorite cocoa powder – Cacao Barry Extra Brute, a Dutch-process cocoa with the most intense amber color that I’ve come across.
This cake looks beautiful, with a slightly sunken middle, with or without cocoa.
Just use whatever you have — even a sprinkle of powdered sugar or nothing at all.
This is a rich cake, so cut into slices and plan on at least eight servings.
Like many of my favorite desserts, this cake isn’t overly sweet and it keeps well for a few days on a cake plate at room temperature.
Flourless Chocolate Caprese Cake
Dense and chocolatey Italian Caprese cake, a simple flourless cake you'll make again and again.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) salted butter, cut into chunks, plus additional for preparing pan
- 1 ½ cups (225g) whole almonds
- 8 ounces (200g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 4 eggs, separated
- 1 cup (225g) granulated sugar
- Unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
Instructions
- Place oven rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Coat bottom and sides of 8-inch springform pan with butter.
- Spread almonds on baking sheet and toast until fragrant, 10 – 12 minutes. Cool the almonds to room temperature, then pulse to form a coarse powder in a food processor.
- Place the chocolate and butter in heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Heat until melted, stirring. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Beat egg yolks and sugar with heavy-duty mixer until lightened in color and fluffy. Scrape into large mixing bowl. Clean mixer bowl and add egg whites, and beat until soft peaks form.
- Add the melted chocolate to the egg yolk mixture and stir to combine. Stir in almonds to blend thoroughly. Add half of whipped egg whites and gently fold, then add remaining egg whites and combine.
- Pour into cake pan and bake until the top forms a light crust, 35 – 40 minutes —the inside will remain moist when tested with a toothpick.
- Cool to room temperature on a rack. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.
Notes
Cake will keep 3-4 days at room temperature, wrapped.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 481Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 180mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 8gSugar: 27gProtein: 13g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate with your favorite calculator.
Andre says
Hey. I made this cake following the recipe and it turned out so good. I was surprised because it’s so easy to make yet so delicious, thank you for sharing xx
I was wondering, would it be ok to substitute the ground almonds for coconut flour/ dessicated coconut?
I know the flavour profile would be totally different but I think it should work just as fine as the two ingredients have similar consistency… Any thoughts? 🙂
Familystyle Food says
Hi Andre – I’m happy that you enjoyed the cake! It’s one of my all-time favorites. As far as substituting coconut flour or dried coconut: I don’t recommend using coconut flour in this recipe. The fat content is lower than nut flour and would require tinkering with the volume of eggs. Instead, you can use 1 2/3 cups prepared fine blanched almond flour (instead of grinding the whole almonds) and 1/4 cup dried coconut if you enjoy the flavor and texture of coconut.
Andre says
Thank you for the tip, I actually didn’t think of the fat content difference, but that makes perfect sense.
I’ll stick to almonds because this cake is such a win
XO
Liza says
How did I miss this cake?
XO
Liza
dina says
this is a gorgeous cake!
malena says
Thank you for this fantastic recipe! I have made it as a birthday cake for my mum.
I mentioned your blog in a blogpost on my blog. Unfortunately it´s in swedish.
Karen says
Malena, I am so touched by your post! I just went to your blog; your cake turned out beautifully and it looks like you made your mom very happy. I didn’t even need to read the words to know it was full of love.
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
Oh my, it will be so dangerous to make this cake 😉
Gemma says
Your Caprese cake looks amazing! I made one long time ago and came out pretty good but I think I’ll give it another try with this recipe. 🙂
Love your recipes!
Karen says
Gemma – yes, please do give another try! It’s a great little recipe to have up your sleeve.
Adri says
Oh my, how did I miss this post? I love Torta Caprese, and this one looks glorious!
El says
The cake looks divine. Perfect for a snowy day!
Laura (Tutti dolci) says
Beautiful cake, I can see myself sneaking back to the kitchen repeatedly for just one more sliver!
Jennifer Smaldone says
I’ve just ordered the cocoa powder from Amazon! This cake sounds wonderful. I’ll be making it tomorrow!
Karen says
Great Jennifer – let me know how you like it 🙂
Nicole ~ cooking for keeps says
Beautiful! I’m hoping we have an excuse to stay home tomorrow as well, crossing my fingers!
Karen says
Thank you Nicole! Hope it’s not too messy where you are – we have big piles of dirty snow today. Not so pretty!
Taina says
karen, for those of us (lazy!) readers who would like to save a step, could you please tell me how much already-prepared almond meal to substitute? many thanks! btw, love the teal teapot, where is it from?
Karen says
Hi Taina – Good question. Most prepared almond meal you buy ready-made is ground finer than that you’d grind yourself – more like the consistency of flour – so you’ll need slightly less. I suggest starting with 1 cup of the almond meal – if the batter looks really loose, than add more a tablespoon at a time. Since the almonds in the recipe are there more for texture, I think you should be fine with the conservative amount.
The pot is lovely, isn’t it? It was a gift so I can’t be sure where it came from. Thanks!
Mickie says
This sounds soooo good~!! I just ordered the Cocoa from Amazon~! Two-day shipping and I’ll be OD’ing on this wonderful cake~!! Yummmmmmmmmm~!!