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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Authentic Italian Chocolate Torte

    Published: Nov 11, 2021 · Modified: Jan 30, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    366 shares
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    5 from 19 votes
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    Pinterest image for chocolate torte

    If you’re a chocolate lover my Italian Chocolate Torte is a delicious way to satisfy that craving. Packed with dried fruit and nuts, topped with a rich chocolate ganache it’s a chocolate lover’s dream that is perfect for the holidays or your next special occasion.

    slice of chocolate torte on a spatula being taken out of the whole cake

    When it comes to anything food-related Italians have created some of my all-time favorite desserts. And this Chocolate Torte (aka Torta Ricca con Frutta Secca e Disidratata) has been a favorite since I first discovered it on a trip to Florence twenty-some years ago.

    overhead partial view of the whole chocolate torte with a slice being taken out on a spatula

    The ganache topping adds another layer of chocolaty deliciousness that takes this decadent dessert to another level. Top it with fresh whip cream

    What ingredients do I need to make an Italian Chocolate Torte?

    ingredients to make recipe

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Italian Chocolate Torte. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Do I have to use dried fruit or nuts in this cake?

    No, you don’t. You could add additional nuts, or your favorite chocolate chips or other chips instead.

    You may be surprised at how much you enjoy the added layer of flavor the fruit adds to the cake, it’s definitely worth trying the recipe as is.

    If you have nut allergies you can also replace the nuts with your favorite baking chips or additional dried fruit.

    How do I make an Italian Chocolate Torte?

    two images, one of the nuts on a sheet pan and the other of the nuts roasted on a cutting board

    Start by spreading the mixed nuts on a sheet pan in a 350-degree oven. Roast the nuts for about 10 minutes turning them once halfway through the process.

    *After allowing them to cool, chop them into smaller pieces.

    collage showing the first steps in making recipe
    • Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place the pieces in a bowl over simmering water. Stir the chocolate until it has completely melted, then set aside until needed.
    • Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer) whip the softened butter with the brown sugar for about 10 minutes on medium to high speed using the whisk attachment of your mixer.
    collage showing the next steps in making recipe
    • Add the mascarpone, and Greek yogurt to the mixture and mix just enough to combine.
    • Add the melted chocolate, flour, egg yolks, and cocoa to the mixture. Mix just enough to combine the ingredients.
    • Add the cranberries, roasted nuts, pineapple, candied ginger and rum to the mixture. Fold these ingredients in until combined.
    collage showing the last steps in making recipe
    • In a clean mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with the salt, until soft peaks are formed.
    • Carefully fold the whipped egg whites to the chocolate mixture.
    two images, one of the uncooked chocolate batter in the pan and the baked chocolate torte in the pan
    • Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared springform pan, using a spatula to level the surface.
    • Place the pan on a cookie sheet and place on the middle rack in a preheated 350-degree oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes.
    finished chocolate torte in the pan on a wire rack cooling

    Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack while you make the topping.

    How do I make the Chocolate Topping?

    collage showing how to make the chocolate topping

    Chop the chocolate into small pieces and add it to a bowl over simmering water, with the butter and heavy cream. Stir until the mixture is well blended and smooth.

    whole chocolate torte with chocolate topping on a white platter

    Let the topping cool for about 10 minutes then using an offset spatula spread the chocolate evenly over the top of the torte, allowing it to drip down the sides of the cake.

    *Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes to let the chocolate set up before slicing.

    slice of Italian chocolate torte on a stack of white plates

    Who’s ready to join me in a slice of deliciousness? I promise your friend and family are going to love my Italian Chocolate Torte!

    And if you’re a serious chocolate lover, you’re going to love my Flourless Chocolate Cake.

    More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Best Chocolate Mousse Cake
    • Chocolate Olive Oil Cake Recipe
    • Insanely Delicious Triple Chocolate Pecan Fudge Brownies
    • No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    slice of Italian chocolate torte on a stack of white plates
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    5 from 19 votes

    Italian Chocolate Torte (Torta Ricca con Frutta Secca e Disidratata)

    If you’re a chocolate lover my Italian Chocolate Torte is a delicious way to satisfy that craving. Packed with dried fruit and nuts, topped with a rich chocolate ganache it’s a chocolate lover’s dream that is perfect for the holidays or your next special occasion.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 644kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Equipment

    • springform pan

    Ingredients

    Chocolate Torte

    • 1 ½ cups mixed nuts I used pecans, cashews, pistachio’s
    • 8.75 oz bittersweet chocolate 65% cocoa or better. – chopped
    • 10 ½ tbsp unsalted butter softened
    • ½ cup + 2 Tbsp light brown sugar packed
    • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • ¼ cup mascarpone
    • ¾ cup + 1 Tbsp whole wheat flour
    • 3 large eggs separated
    • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
    • 2 tbsp rum optional
    • ¾ cup dried cranberries (craisins)
    • ½ cup dried pineapple cut in small pieces
    • ½ cup candied ginger cut it small pieces
    • ⅛ tsp sea salt

    Chocolate Topping

    • 8 oz semi sweet chocolate chopped
    • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
    • 3 tbsp heavy cream
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Chocolate Torte

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place the rack in the middle of the oven.
    • Coat the inside of a 9-inch springform pan liberally with butter. and set aside until needed.
      *a smaller springform pan can be used to make a taller cake, but it will require a longer baking time.
    • Start by spreading the mixed nuts on a sheet pan in a 350-degree oven. Roast the nuts for about 10 minutes turning them once halfway through the process. Don't let the nuts burn!
      After allowing them to cool, chop them into smaller pieces.
    • Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place the pieces in a bowl over simmering water. Stir the chocolate until it has completely melted, then set aside until needed.
    • Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer) whip the softened butter with the brown sugar for about 10 minutes on medium to high speed using the whisk attachment of your mixer.
    • Next, add the mascarpone, and Greek yogurt to the mixture and mix just enough to combine.
    • Add the melted chocolate, flour, egg yolks, and cocoa to the mixture. Mix just enough to combine the ingredients.
    • Then add the cranberries, roasted nuts, pineapple and candied ginger to the mixture. Fold these ingredients in until combined.
    • In a clean mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with the salt, until soft peaks are formed.
    • Carefully fold the whipped egg whites to the chocolate mixture.
    • Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared springform pan and place on a cookie sheet in the oven. Bake for 30-40 mintes.
      *If you're using a 9-inch springform pan, start checking your cake, after 30 minutes of baking. If you use a smaller springform pan the cooking time will increase by about 10 minutes.
    • Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack while you make the glaze.

    Chocolate Topping

    • Chop the chocolate into small pieces and add it to a bowl over simmering water, with the butter and heavy cream. Stir until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
    • Let the topping cool for about 10 minutes then using an offset spatula spread the chocolate evenly over the top of the torte, allowing it to drip down the sides of the cake.
      *Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes to let the chocolate set up before slicing
    • Serve with fresh whipped cream and berries, or just by itself. This cake will go wonderfully with coffee, milk or a glass of red wine!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 644kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 417mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 634IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. mara

      December 11, 2022 at 1:36 pm

      I don’t see where do you add 2 Tbs rum in the process?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        December 11, 2022 at 1:43 pm

        thanks for catching that Mara, it goes in with the dried fruit.

        Reply
    2. LaKita

      November 14, 2021 at 6:21 pm

      5 stars
      This Italian chocolate torte is so rich, and delicious. It was so easy to make and came together beautifully!

      Reply
    3. Jenny

      November 14, 2021 at 4:59 pm

      5 stars
      That’s a great cake. It is decadent, rich yet light enough to have another piece! A true classic, will go in my all-time favorites recipe collection.

      Reply
    4. Annie

      November 14, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      5 stars
      This chocolate torte was so decadent and delicious. We loved the chocolate ganache topping. Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
    5. Jamie

      November 14, 2021 at 5:21 am

      5 stars
      I love the dried fruit in the cake, it really added to the flavor!

      Reply
    6. Linda

      November 13, 2021 at 2:06 am

      5 stars
      Delicious layers of chocolate especially with thick ganache on top. I might have died and gone to chocolate heaven!

      Reply
    7. Mikayla

      November 12, 2021 at 11:01 pm

      5 stars
      As you mentioned above leaving the dried fruit out is an option, I opted for a nut filled torte and was very happy with the results.

      Reply
    8. Addie

      November 12, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      5 stars
      So rich and decadent in the best way. Yum!

      Reply
    9. Oscar

      November 12, 2021 at 6:47 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this cake and that ganache is to die for. Great recipe.

      Reply
    10. Carmy

      November 12, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious dessert! Everyone really love it

      Reply
    11. Patti@PattyCakesPantry

      November 12, 2021 at 10:19 am

      This is chocolate decadence in cake form. I love everything about it. Chocolate and nuts, dried fruit and chocolate, and ganache is my favorite topping for any dessert I can use it on. Thank you for this recipe. I think it’s going to become one of our favorites, too.

      Reply
    12. Kathryn

      November 12, 2021 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      I’m so happy I can finally make this favorite dessert at home. Your recipe was so easy and we loved it! Making this again very soon!

      Reply
    13. Allyssa

      November 12, 2021 at 5:31 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing this amazing Italian chocolate torte recipe! I will surely make this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

      Reply
    14. Jean

      November 11, 2021 at 11:09 pm

      5 stars
      such a great recipe to serve for dessert, love how chocolatey it is.

      Reply
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