Torta Caprese Recipe: Rich Italian Flourless Chocolate Cake 2026

Torta caprese is a rich, flourless chocolate cake from the Italian island of Capri, and legend says it was born from a happy mistake when a baker forgot to add wheat flour. The result was so good that the cake stayed exactly as it was, made only with almonds.

This version delivers a crisp crust and a moist, fudgy interior, thanks to a generous amount of melted chocolate, ground toasted almonds and softly folded egg whites. It's an elegant dessert that comes together with just six ingredients.

Serve it dusted with powdered sugar for a simple finish, or add a little orange zest or dark rum to the batter for a personal twist. Either way, it's a crowd-pleasing cake for any occasion.

Ingredients for Torta Caprese

For 8 servings

• 200 g chocolate with 54% cocoa
• 200 g blanched almonds
• 180 g butter at room temperature
• 140 g sugar (100 g for the yolks and 40 g for the whites)
• 4 medium eggs at room temperature
• Powdered sugar (for decoration)

How to Make Torta Caprese Step by Step

1. Melt the chocolate

Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Melt 200 g of chocolate in the microwave for a few seconds or in a double boiler, then let it cool.

2. Toast and grind the almonds

Once the oven is hot, toast 200 g of blanched almonds in it for 10 minutes. Let them cool and grind them not too finely. Set aside. Lower the oven temperature to 180 °C.

3. Beat the butter with sugar and yolks

Beat 180 g of butter at room temperature with 100 g of sugar. Separate the yolks and whites of 4 medium eggs. Then add the 4 yolks to the butter and sugar mixture and beat for 3 minutes.

4. Add the chocolate and almonds

Add the melted chocolate and ground almonds, and beat, but not too much, until you get a homogeneous mixture.

5. Whip the egg whites and fold them in

Whip 4 medium egg whites to stiff peaks with 40 g of sugar, and fold them into the batter with a spatula using gentle folding motions.

6. Fill the pan

Line a 20 cm round pan with parchment paper, pour the batter into it and smooth the top.

7. Bake for 45 minutes at 180 °C

Bake with top and bottom heat for 45 minutes at 180 °C. Remove from the oven and let cool without unmolding.

8. Dust with powdered sugar

Once the cake is cool, and before serving, dust it with powdered sugar.

9. Serve

Slice and serve the torta caprese. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Torta Caprese

Toast and grind the almonds yourself

Toasting the almonds and grinding them not too finely gives the cake a lovely texture. You can also use store-bought almond flour if you prefer.

Choose the right chocolate

We use chocolate with 54% cocoa, which we think works best, but you can use a higher percentage, such as 72%, if you prefer.

Add a personal touch

For a different twist, add orange zest to the batter, and if you want a touch of alcohol, dark rum or amaretto pair perfectly.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to rotation that covers cozy comfort plates, well-known dishes from around the world, and sweets that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

Tapas and Mediterranean cooking are a mood I return to often, and I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, these crackly Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, a velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This chilled Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also makes the table when I feel like something a bit more elevated.

Come lunch or a slow dinner at home, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When hunger runs bigger, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this saucy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, golden Salchipapas recipe, a punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work nicely as a light starter or snack.

And when guests are coming and drinks are part of the plan, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a jug of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or ending with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of trying, tweaking, and remaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the ones that stick around are built on straightforward steps, methods you can trust, and serious flavor.

What follows is the set of recipes I keep circling back to—whether it's a fast plate just for me or a bigger spread for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something that feels fancy without much fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and uncomplicated, I'll usually reach for the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for heavier comfort plates, my usual picks are the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm just as happy sharing dishes with roots in other countries, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crunchy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's own Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I use all the time, since it cuts down on effort while still giving you excellent results. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a baked pasta classic can still be creamy, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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