Home/The Cesarine's Cookbook/Torta caprese
Torta Caprese, Cesarina Rita, gutenfree

Torta caprese

Who hasn’t heard the old saying, “You learn from your mistakes”? Well, it’s never been truer than in this story. Many great discoveries were made by accident, or rather, by mistake. Think of penicillin, the pacemaker, or even the microwave oven we all use today. And in the kitchen, too, some of the world’s most beloved recipes were happy accidents. Panettone, Risotto alla Milanese, and Tarte Tatin all owe their existence to a moment of distraction or a fortunate misstep. And so does the dessert we’re sharing today: Torta Caprese.

This delicious cake, made with almond flour, eggs, and dark chocolate, was born from a small but brilliant mistake. A pastry chef named Carmine Di Fiore, on the island of Capri, accidentally forgot to add flour to his cake batter. The result? A dessert with a delicate, crisp crust and a soft, rich, melt-in-your-mouth center. And it just happens to be naturally gluten-free. Thanks to its irresistible flavor, Torta Caprese quickly crossed the shores of Capri to become a symbol of Neapolitan pastry worldwide.

Feeling tempted? Gather your ingredients, tie on your apron, and follow our Cesarina Rita from Mirabella Eclano, as she guides you through this simple yet divine recipe. You’ll discover that Torta Caprese isn’t just wonderfully delicious, it’s also quick and easy to make!

Torta Caprese, Cesarina Rita, Gluten-free, Traditional dessert from Campania

Torta Caprese

The soft, gluten-free cake with a rich, velvety texture: a true symbol of Neapolitan pastry tradition

DifficultyEasy
Preparation time40m
Cooking time50m
CostHigh

Ingredients

  • 500 g almond flour or finely ground almonds
  • 250 g butter
  • 250 g sugar
  • 8 eggs
  • 75 g unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 50 g dark chocolate
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 20 g rum
  • 8 g baking powder

Method

  • Beat the softened butter with the sugar until creamy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing continuously.
  • Add the vanilla bean seeds, melted dark chocolate (melted in a double boiler), cocoa powder, and rum.
  • Finally, incorporate the almond flour and baking powder, mixing well.
  • Butter and flour a shallow 24 cm (9-inch) cake pan.
  • Pour in the batter and bake in a static oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 50 minutes.
  • Check doneness with a toothpick—it should come out dry.
Copyright 2004-2026 © - Home Food s.r.l. Benefit Corporation