Almond And chocolate Torta
Nuts are an important part of the Mediterranean diet. When we eat at friends' houses in Italy, a bowl of fresh fruits and nuts is routinely served after the main meal and before the dessert course. And, nuts, particularly almonds and hazelnuts, are generously used in desserts. Almond flour or hazelnut flour is often substituted for a wheat flour making a gluten free cake or cookie. This almond torta from the Ligurian region combines almond flour with some wheat flour to make a beautiful, moist cake. It is a delicious dessert cake dusted with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
5 ounces butter softened
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (If a good, light in flavor oil is not available you can substitute another 5 ounces of butter)
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
5 eggs
Zest of one lemon finely chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
2 cups almond flour
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon salt
Equipment
Oven preheated to 350 degrees F
Electric mixer
10 inch spring form pan buttered (or oiled) and floured
To Make the Almond and Chocolate Torta
Step 1: Combine the butter, oil and sugar in a mixer on medium speed until it becomes light.about 1 minute.
Step 2: Add the eggs and mix until the batter is light and has increased in volume - at least one minute.
Step 3: Add lemon zest, vanilla or almond flavoring, and the almond flour and mix until it is just combined.
Step 4: Add the flour, salt, baking powder and continue to mix on low speed just until it is integrated, but do not over mix.
Step 5: Finally add the chocolate chips and mix until they are well distributed in the batter.
Step 6: Pour the batter into your prepared spring form pan.
Step 7: Bake in the center of the oven for about 40 minutes until golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool on a rack and dust with confectioners sugar prior to serving.
Ingredients
5 ounces butter softened
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (If a good, light in flavor oil is not available you can substitute another 5 ounces of butter)
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
5 eggs
Zest of one lemon finely chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
2 cups almond flour
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon salt
Equipment
Oven preheated to 350 degrees F
Electric mixer
10 inch spring form pan buttered (or oiled) and floured
To Make the Almond and Chocolate Torta
Step 1: Combine the butter, oil and sugar in a mixer on medium speed until it becomes light.about 1 minute.
Step 2: Add the eggs and mix until the batter is light and has increased in volume - at least one minute.
Step 3: Add lemon zest, vanilla or almond flavoring, and the almond flour and mix until it is just combined.
Step 4: Add the flour, salt, baking powder and continue to mix on low speed just until it is integrated, but do not over mix.
Step 5: Finally add the chocolate chips and mix until they are well distributed in the batter.
Step 6: Pour the batter into your prepared spring form pan.
Step 7: Bake in the center of the oven for about 40 minutes until golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool on a rack and dust with confectioners sugar prior to serving.