Northern Italian Chocolate and Nut Cake

As promised, here is my first christmas bake. I saw this recipe in a magazine a while ago and it has been on my to-do list! Although it is not a bake it is a non-cook cake, traditional to the region of Siena. Having researched the recipe, it appears that traditionally this cake is made with candied peel but i have decided to use crystalised ginger instead which i think compliments the nuts and Amaretto nicely!

What is ideal about this cake is all  you have to do is bung all the ingredients in together and leave it to set. This cake is very rich so you could easily make a smaller version and wrap it in brown paper and give it as a gift at christmas. 

For the Cake you will need:

250g of good quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa or more)

3 Medium egg whites

100g Crystalised ginger

200g Ground Almonds

100g Finely chopped Walnuts

50g Finely chopped Hazelnuts

200g Icing Sugar

4 Tbsp Amaretto

For the topping:

100g good quality dark chocolate

75g icing sugar, plus extra to dust

1. Line your tin, i have used an 18cm deep oven dish, with cling film and leave to one side. To make your cake melt the chocolate in a large heat proof bowl over a saucepan of bowling water, make sure the water is not touching your glass bowl. Once melted, leave your bowl to one side.

2. Meanwhile, lightly beat your egg whites with a fork for a couple of minutes and to this add your ginger, ground almonds, nuts, icing sugar and Amaretto.  Mix well and then add your chocolate and continue to stir until all your ingredients are mixed in. Pour your mixture into your lined dish and pop into your fridge until set.

3. In the meantime, to make the topping, melt your dark chocolate and add to your icing sugar and mix together. Turn your cake out onto a plate once set and use a spatula to cover the surface of your cake with your topping and once again leave to chill until set. Finally dust your cake with icing sugar or however you wish you decorate it, and enjoy at your leisure! This cake is very rich so you can cut your cake into 16 generous slices and not leave anyone feeling short changed.

I hope you enjoy this Italian classic as much as i do. I have made this recipe a couple of times and i find that this cake is perfect for an afternoon treat with a nice cup of strong coffee. Because this recipe is so simple you could add whatever you like, sour cherries would be a lovely combination with the nuts and ginger. Why not try this for christmas as a nice alternative!