Caprese Leaves

Caprese Leaves are a delicious dessert originating from the island of Capri. The traditional recipe calls for a chocolate and almond dough, very similar to a Caprese cake, but presented in thin layers. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

• 250 g of peeled almonds
• 250 g of sugar
• 200 g of butter
• 200 g of dark chocolate
• 4 eggs
• 1 sachet of vanillin or a teaspoon of natural vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for decoration

Preparation

1. Start by toasting the almonds in the oven or in a non-stick pan until they become golden brown. Once cool, finely chop them.
2. Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt it in a double boiler with the butter. Allow to cool.
3. Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Beat the yolks with the sugar until frothy, then add the melted chocolate and vanillin (or vanilla).
4. Mix in the chopped almonds with the chocolate mixture.
5. In another bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff and gently fold them into the chocolate mixture, stirring from bottom to top so as not to deflate them.
6. Prepare a rectangular baking tray lined with parchment paper and pour the mixture in, spreading it to form an even layer about half a centimeter thick.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 10-15 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the oven, so it is important to check the cooking without opening the oven in the first minutes.
8. Once cooked, allow the sheet to cool and then cut it into rectangles or squares.
9. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Curiosity

Although the traditional Caprese cake is known worldwide, this leafy variant is less familiar but no less delicious. It is perfect to be served as a meal ender or accompanied by a good coffee. Legend has it that it was created by mistake when a pastry chef forgot to add flour to his dessert, giving life to what is now one of the specialties of the island of Capri.