Torta Barozzi - an Italian Secret Delicacy

Not your average chocolate cake, Torta Barozzi (Barozzi Cake) is going to blow your mind! The flavour of chocolate mixed with almonds and coffee creates a unique experience for the palate. For those who tried this chocolate cake in Italy and have been missing it ever since: here's how to make your own!

Known as "the black cake" in XIX Century Modena, this delicacy was first made by chef Eugenio Gollini, with the result of making his patissery shop so popular that people would travel a long way just to enjoy a slice of it. In 1907 the Black Cake was re-named "Barozzi", after one of the greates Italian architects. Today there are many versions of it, and every single family in Modena claims they have "the real recipe": we did a bit of research and a lot of yummy experiments to come up with this recipe, and we think it's quite close to the original... but it's up to you to experiment with it :-)

We recommend high quality dark chocolate: we chose Daintree Estates Produce, but there are many other fantastic brands available. Same thing for the almonds, find something nice and possibly locally produced, so you know it's good and safe.

Are you ready to create pure indulgence?



Ingredients

4 eggs
150gr sugar
150gr unsalted butter
250gr dark chocolate
100gr ground almonds
40gr coffee grounds

Steps

1. Melt butter and chocolate together. You can do so in the microwave or making a bain marie.

2. Separate egg yolks from egg whites. Work the yolks with the sugar, using an electric beater, for a good 10 minutes, until smooth and puffy. Add almonds and coffee, keep working the mixture for five more minutes. Now incorporate the chocolate and butter mixture using a spatula. This is your cake mixture.

3. Clean the electric beater and whip the egg-whites until white, shiny and firm. Incorporate the cake mixture by folding it in. Make sure you are delicate when folding to keep it fluffy. Use a wooden spoon or a spatula.

4. Pour in a cake tin padded in cooking aluminium foil or oven paper and bake 170º for about 30'.



Tips&tricks 

You can be creative and add whipped cream to decorate. Strawberries would go very well on the side.

Match it with 

Coffe, of course, or a small serving of rum: delicious!