Torta Caprese con le Noci (Italian Chocolate Cake)

Ingredients

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• 6 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao), chopped into small pieces
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• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
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• 1 cup ground almond meal (also know as almond flour)
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• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
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• 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur
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• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
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• tiny pinch cayenne pepper (Optional)
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• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
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• ¾ cup white granulated sugar
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• cocoa and powdered sugar for dusting top, as needed (optional)
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• 1 cup fresh raspberries (Optional)
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• unsweetened whipped cream for serving (optional)
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Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease an 8-inch cake pan with butter, and place a round piece of parchment paper in the bottom. Dust the inside and sides with cocoa powder and knock out excess. Set aside.
2. 2
   Place chocolate and butter in a mixing bowl, and place on top of a saucepan filled with 1 inch of water. Place on low heat until the butter and chocolate have melted.
3. 3
   Remove from heat, and stir together with a spatula. Stir in almond meal, cocoa powder, coffee liqueur, salt, and cayenne until fully combined. Set aside.
4. 4
   Combine eggs and sugar in a second bowl, and beat with an electric mixer, or whisk by hand until very thick and pale colored.
5. 5
   Pour chocolate mixture into the egg mixture; fold in gently with a spatula until just combined. Transfer batter into the prepared pan. Tap pan on the counter to settle the mixture.
6. 6
   Bake in the preheated oven until a wooden skewer inserted near the center comes out almost clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
7. 7
   Let cool for 30 minutes in the pan before turning out onto a plate. Let cool to room temperature, before wrapping and transferring into the fridge to chill before serving.
8. 8
   Before cutting, the top can be dusted with cocoa and/or powdered sugar if desired. Serve with unsweetened whipped cream and fresh raspberries.Chef John