February 19, 2018
There’s nothing like the smell of a delicious torte filling the house on a winter day. I love to make sure I get as much fresh air as I can, whatever the weather, but February is the perfect month for some cozy indoor time, and there’s no better time to do some baking.
This cake is delicious as is, but can also be served with a dusting of confectioners sugar, whipped cream, or zabaglione. It’s great for breakfast or brunch, as well as dessert.
Almond Torte with Chocolate Chips – Torta di Mandorle con Gocce di Cioccolato
Yield: Serves 10 or more Ingredients- 10 ounces (2½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the baking pan
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the baking pan
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 large eggs
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
- 2 cups almond flour or almond meal
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup lightly toasted sliced blanched almonds
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter and flour the bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt onto a piece of parchment.
In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. At medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, mixing each in thoroughly before adding the next, and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the lemon zest and almond extract, then raise the speed to high and beat the batter until very light, a minute or more. At low speed, mix in half of the sifted flour mixture, beating just until it is incorporated; beat in half the almond flour. Scrape the bowl, and mix in the remaining flour and almond flour. Beat briefly at medium speed to make a smooth batter. At low speed, mix in the chocolate chips just until evenly distributed.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, and spread it in an even layer. Scatter the sliced almonds all over the top.
Bake, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until the cake is golden brown on top and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan for about 10 minutes on a wire rack. Run the blade of a paring knife around the edge of the cake, then open the spring and remove the side ring.
Cool the cake completely before serving.
Cut it into wedges, and serve.
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