Tender Chocolate Cake: the recipe of the Italian dessert with a dark chocolate heart

The tender chocolate cake is a typical dessert of the city of Ferrara (Italy) also known as torta tenerina because of its melt-in texture and its dark chocolate heart. It is a cake without yeast and made with very few ingredients, so it remains low and soft inside, and also somewhat "sticky". It is a very simple dessert to prepare which will win over adults and children alike thanks to its intense chocolate flavor and irresistible scent. Serve the tender chocolate cake as a snack or at the end of a meal, sprinkled with a little powdered sugar, garnished with a dollop of whipped cream or accompanied by a delicate mascarpone cheese cream, you will really love it! So let’s find out how to make a perfect tender chocolate cake by following our recipe step by step.

How to make Tender Chocolate Cake

Melt the dark chocolate in a bain-marie. Once melted, add the butter cut into chunks (1), and stir to melt everything.

Collect the egg yolks in a bowl, pour half the granulated sugar (2) and work all with the electric whisk until light and fluffy.

Transfer the egg whites to another bowl, add the remaining granulated sugar, a little at a time (3), and whip until stiff.

Pour the melted dark chocolate into the whipped egg yolks (4) and mix gently with a spatula.

Incorporate the whipped egg whites (5), stirring gently and with movements from top to bottom, to avoid breaking the mixture.

Add the sifted flour (6) and mix gently.

Pour the mixture into a 22 cm diameter hinged mold, greased and floured (7), and level well with the help of a spatula. Bake at 180 degrees C and cook for 30-35 minutes (the toothpick test must give you a moist – not dry – cake).

After the cooking time will be elapsed, take the cake out of the oven and let it cool, then take it out of the mold and serve it in slices (8).

How to store Tender Chocolate Cake

The tender chocolate cake can be stored at room temperature, under a glass bell jar or in a special airtight container, for about 2-3 days.