Gluten-Free Caprese Cake
The Gluten-Free Caprese Cake is an irresistible dessert, characterized by its rich chocolate flavor and its soft, moist, and velvety texture, made unique by the use of almonds. This delicacy is perfect for everyone, including those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, thanks to the absence of wheat flour among the ingredients. The Caprese Cake is delicious on its own but becomes even more special when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a red berry sauce.
Ingredients
- 175 g powdered sugar
- 175 g butter
- 175 g dark chocolate
- 175 g almond flour
- 3 egg yolks (at room temperature)
- 5 egg whites (at room temperature)
- 30 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 60 g potato starch
- 1 sachet of baking powder
- Half a vanilla pod
- A pinch of salt
Preparation
1. Initial Preparation
Preheat the oven to 170 °C (338 °F) and prepare a 22 cm (8.7 inches) cake pan by greasing it and dusting it with potato starch. Grate the dark chocolate and set it aside.
2. Preparing the Batter
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with the powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy (this will take about 10 minutes). Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla seeds and grated chocolate, ensuring the mixture is smooth and uniform.
3. Combining the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, cocoa powder, potato starch, and baking powder. Mix well to ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Assembling the Mixture
Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks with a pinch of salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter and egg mixture, alternating with the whisked egg whites. Use gentle, upward motions to incorporate everything without deflating the mixture.
5. Baking
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and level it with a spatula. Bake in the preheated static oven at 170 °C (338 °F) for approximately 40-45 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a skewer into the center of the cake: if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
6. Cooling and Decoration
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, dust the the Gluten-Free Caprese Cake with whit powdered sugar before serving. We enjoyed it in its simplest form, letting the rich chocolate flavor take center stage.
Enjoy!
click here for the original Italian version