The Other Caprese- Torta Caprese

December 8th is the day when Italians traditionally set up their creche scenes and begin to celebrate Christmas. As the holidays approach, it brings back memories of a trip to Naples to visit the San Gregorio D'Armena Christmas Market. This small neighborhood in Naples houses artisans that spend the whole year creating figures for the creche scenes. In Naples, the creche scenes are a work of art. Clay figures are actually dressed in handmade costumes and then places in ornate settings, recreating village scenes. It is one of my favorite Christmas markets in Italy and Naples holds a special place in my heart for the fabulous food.

Naples is famous for many incredible desserts, Baba al rhum, rum soaked brioche dough, the Sfogliatelle, a paper-thin pastry, rolled and cut and then shaped and filled with ricotta and baked. Pastiera, a ricotta and boiled grain cheesecake made at Easter. But my favorite cake to make at home is called Torta Caprese. Most people here the word Caprese and think of the tomato and mozzarella salad, known all over the world. But the name Caprese, means coming from the Island of Capri. The Torta Caprese is a cake made with ground almonds and chocolate and a shot of limoncello and eggs. There are as many recipes as there are cooks.


Torta Caprese

I made this using a scale- for pastry it is really better and easier to do the ratios.

100 grams whole peeled almonds
50  grams bittersweet chocolate, cut into pieces
2 whole eggs, divided, yolks and whites
50 grams sugar, about 2 Tbs
2 Tbs limoncello


Preheat oven to 350. Butter an 8 inch round cake pan.
In a food processor, chop the almonds with the chocolate until it looks crumbly.

Whip the 2 egg yolks with the 2 Tbs sugar until tripled in volume.
Add the chocolate almond mixture.
Add the limoncello.
Whip the whites to stiff peaks, fold into mixture.

Place batter in pan and cook until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out dry, about 25 minutes.

Let cook and remove from pan.
Top with powdered sugar and serve.

You can also use white chocolate- the new version and add grated lemon zest.
The Amalfi coast is famous for their lemons and lemoncello an after dinner drink readily available now everywhere.