Italian Almond Chocolate Cake

title

Italian Almond Chocolate Cake

Originating from the Isle of Capri, this flourless chocolate cake is moist and delicious. If you need an excuse to eat dark chocolate guilt-free, you’ll be happy to hear that regular chocolate intake may benefit your brain function and support memory.^[1]

Italian chocolate almond cake

Serves 8

Ingredients

125 g of dark chocolate (50-70% cocoa)

1½ cups almond flour or 180 g almonds processed into meal

125 g unsalted butter

3 medium eggs

½ cup of castor sugar

Icing sugar or cocoa for decoration

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a 20cm round cake tin with baking paper.

2. Melt butter and chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of boiling water and set aside.

3. Separate eggs. Beat egg yolks and sugar into a pale cream.

4. Gradually add almond flour and cooled chocolate, mixing well.

5. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff.

6. Gently fold egg whites into cake mixture with a wooden spoon.

7. Pour into cake tin and bake for 35 minutes.

8. Cool cake in tin for half an hour before turning on wire rack.

9. Dust with icing sugar or cocoa and serve with fresh berries and cream.

[1] Sumiyoshi E, et al. Sub-chronic consumption of dark chocolate enhances cognitive function and releases nerve growth factors: a parallel-group randomized trial. Nutrients. 2019 Nov 16;11(11):2800.

Explore all blog posts

Patient Education Series - The Gut Connection: Diet, Digestion and Microbiome

In this episode, Sam Cartwright explores the pivotal role of the gut in maintaining whole-body health, examining digestion as a dynamic, multi-system process rather than a simple breakdown of food. Sam explains how compromised gut function can contribute to systemic issues, from inflammation and immune dysregulation to mood imbalances and chronic disease. Through a functional lens, Sam discusses the integrity of the gut barrier, the clinical relevance of leaky gut, and the impact of the microbiome on broader physiological processes. Sam also clarifies the distinctions between food allergies and intolerances, as well as highlights the influence of the gut-brain axis—emphasising how stress and emotional wellbeing can shape digestive outcomes and chronic health. Discover how evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies can complement your practitioner’s recommendations, to support you in optimising digestive function and uncover the powerful connection between your gut and your whole-body health.

The Brain That Heals: What the Placebo Effect Reveals About the Body’s Innate Wisdom

The placebo effect is more than just a psychological trick. It is a measurable process where expectations, trust, and context trigger real physiological responses. Placebo interventions can stimulate the release of natural painkillers, influence mood pathways in the brain, and even change how we experience symptoms.

Meet the Vitamins: What Are They and Why Do We Need Them?

In this episode, Emma explores the fundamentals of vitamins. Your patients will learn the difference between water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins, how each plays a unique role in supporting their health with their benefits, their best food sources, and how much they may need. Patients will also discover common factors that contribute to vitamin deficiencies, and why some of us require activated B vitamins and multivitamins.