Torta Savoia - Italian Hazelnut Cake

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) hazelnuts, roasted and ground 200g (1 ¾ cups) hazelnuts, roasted and ground
• 150g (1 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour 150g (1 ¼ cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened 150g (¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 150g (¾ cup) granulated sugar 150g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 24g (Saturated: 8g)
• Carbohydrates: 29g (Sugar: 16g)
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. 3.
   Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, combine the ground hazelnuts, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder.
5. 5.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. 6.
   Stir in the vanilla extract.
7. 7.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
8. 8.
   Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. 9.
   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. 10.
    Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar.
11. 11.
    Serve slices of Torta Savoia and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Hazelnuts — Make sure to roast the hazelnuts before grinding them to enhance their flavor. To roast, spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden. Allow them to cool before grinding.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra indulgent touch, serve the Torta Savoia with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla gelato.
• To enhance the hazelnut flavor, you can drizzle the cake with a homemade hazelnut syrup before dusting it with powdered sugar.
• If you prefer a more intense chocolate flavor, you can increase the amount of cocoa powder in the recipe.
• For a decorative touch, you can garnish the top of the cake with toasted hazelnuts or chocolate shavings.
• To ensure a moist and tender crumb, avoid overmixing the batter once the dry ingredients are added.

Serving advice

Serve slices of Torta Savoia as a delightful dessert after a satisfying Italian meal. Pair it with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of sweet dessert wine for a truly indulgent experience.

Presentation advice

To present the Torta Savoia beautifully, dust the top of the cake generously with powdered sugar. You can also place a few whole roasted hazelnuts on top for an elegant touch. Serve the slices on individual dessert plates for an appealing presentation.