Caprese Cake
Decadent, nutty, and as rich as Mediterranean sunshine, this Caprese cake recipe is a flourless masterpiece born on the stunning Italian island of Capri - a true slice of dolce vita with an irresistible chocolatey twist.
Ingredients
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Grease a 20cm deep round tin.
2. To make the cake, grind the whole almonds with the 50g of caster sugar in a food processor.
3. Beat the whole egg and yolks with the 160g of caster sugar until the mix is pale and creamy and leaves a trail on the surface. Whisk the egg whites to soft peaks. Mix the cooled melted chocolate with the egg yolk and sugar mixture. Stir in the ground almonds and chopped almonds.
4. Beat in a spoonful of egg whites to loosen the mixture. Now gently fold in the remaining egg whites a spoonful at a time.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 40–45 minutes.
6. To prepare the topping, place the water, sugar, cocoa powder and glucose into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes and stir.
7. Soften the gelatine in a little water. Remove the pan from the heat. Squeeze any liquid from the gelatine and add the gelatine sheet to the pan. Stir until it has dissolved. Leave to cool.
8. Once the cake is cooked, leave in the tin to cool before turning out onto a serving plate. Pour the chocolate topping just on the surface of the cake and decorate with candied lemon or extra chopped almonds.
This Caprese cake recipe is the mistake that made history!
Looking for a cake that breaks the mould? This Caprese cake recipe dazzles as one of Italy’s most beloved baking blunders - a dense, fudgy chocolate and almond delight that flourished thanks to a fluke in the kitchens of Capri. Legend has it that an absentminded local pastry chef forgot to add flour to his chocolate almond cake. The result? A mouthwatering marvel with a soft heart, crispy edge, and the kind of richness that’s impossible to resist. And the best bit is that this Caprese chocolate cake, known in the pasticcerias of Naples as torta Caprese, is a Neapolitan icon that’s easy to make at home!
Made from a blend of whole blanched almonds, caster sugar, eggs, and lashings of melted dark chocolate, this chocolate Caprese cake is then packed with chopped almonds for crunch and baked to deep, golden perfection. The topping is a silky cocoa glaze made from water, sugar, cocoa, and liquid glucose, finished with a shimmering sheet of gelatine for shine. Decorate with candied lemons or another shower of chopped almonds for that classic Capri touch.
Why “Caprese”? The cake’s name pays homage to its birthplace - Capri, the jewel of the Bay of Naples - where this Neapolitan treasure quickly became the pride of local cafes and patisseries. Traditionally eaten for special occasions ( Easter, Christmas, or any celebration worthy of Italian flair), this Caprese cake recipe is a must-have treat alongside good espresso or a glass of dessert wine like a Vin Santo.
Serve this Caprese chocolate cake as the star of your dessert table, with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of gelato. Pair it with berries, fresh figs, or zest it up with a twist of orange for extra sunshine. For the ultimate Italian finale, add espresso or digestif on the side and let the party begin!
Once you’ve mastered this iconic Caprese cake recipe, why not explore more legendary cakes from around the world? Try a classic New York cheesecake, a decadent French Gateau St. Honoré, or a traditional British fruit cake. With homemade cakes like these, you need never visit the bakery again!
