Italian flourless chocolate cake

This Italian flourless chocolate cake is a dense torte that is best served with whipped cream or ice-cream.

Italian flourless chocolate cake

Serves 8

Ingredient

4/5 cup (200g) salted butter, at room temperature
220g dark chocolate, chopped
2 packets (100g each) blanched almonds, very finely blitzed (or use almond flour)
6 large eggs, separated
1 cup (220g) caster sugar
½ tsp (2.5ml) salt
1 Tbsp (15ml) almond liqueur (optional)
Cocoa powder (or icing sugar), for dusting

Method

Preheat oven to 160°C. Line a 20 or 23cm loose-bottom cake tin with baking paper and spray the sides with non-stick spray.
Combine butter and chocolate in a glass or metal bowl and melt over a double boiler (or melt in the microwave, working in 30-second increments to ensure chocolate doesn’t overheat and seize.) Cool and stir in blitzed almonds.
Whisk together egg yolks, sugar, salt and almond liqueur (if using) and stir the mixture into the cooled chocolate base.
Whisk egg whites and a pinch of salt together in a very clean bowl to stiff peaks.
Add ⅓ of the egg white mixture to the chocolate base and stir to combine — this will lighten the batter. Fold the remaining egg whites into the batter, working carefully to maintain its aerated texture. Spoon mixture into the prepared cake tin.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre reveals moist crumbs.
Remove and cool in the tin for 10 minutes before un moulding.
Serve warm or at room temperature with cream or ice-cream. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.