Torta di Cioccolato e Pere: a simple Italian recipe

Chocolate and Pear Cake​

If you are looking for a simple, Italian recipe with a classic flavor combination of chocolate and pears, this is it. It's sweet and tangy with a small touch of almond from the amaretti cookies. So, so good!

Early Winter and Pears​

It's early winter which means that pears are in season. I love how Italians will cook and eat what is in season. It's such a beautiful value they have. I try to do the same as often as I can.

After buying a small box of pears, I decided to make a cake Italians make often this time of year. This simple recipe is perfect for a quick dessert or reheated, it makes a great breakfast. In fact, it reminds me of a type of cornetto I would often eat for breakfast in Rome. 

Pino's Bar​

I would walk to my favorite neighborhood bar and Pino would tell me which croissants he had available that day. He was always excited to tell me when he had cioccolato e pere. "Questo qui è buonissmo," he would say. In his own Romano way, he would absolutely insist that was the one I wanted. He was right. The flavors go so well together. Si sposano bene! 

Taste for Yourself

Embrace these cold days of early winter and take advantage of pear season. Buy some pears and try out this simple and easy recipe with its amazing flavor combination. In Pino style, I insist you try it! 

xxSommer

Recipe: Torta di Cioccolato e Pere

This simple cake is made with chocolate and pears— a classic Italian flavor combination.

Ingredients

• 300 grams pears sliced

• 490 pastry dough (homemade or frozen dough should be thawed and ready to roll out)

• 80 grams amaretti cookies

• 150 grams dark chocolate

• 1 egg

• sugar

Instructions

1. Roll out the pastry dough into two equal sections.

2. Place 1 of the sections of dough into a tart or pie pan, forming a crust along the edge.

3. Melt the chocolate* and pour onto the crust. Use a spatula to smooth out the chocolate evenly.

4. Sprinkle the crumbles of amaretti cookies onto the chocolate.

5. Place the sliced pears onto the cookie layer.

6. Place the 2nd section of pastry dough on top, crimping the crust to create a pattern.

7. Make slits on top of the dough for air to escape while baking.

8. Brush on the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.

9. Bake at 400 for about 40 minutes.

Notes

Pear and chocolate is a classic, Italian flavor combination. The recipe is simple and easy for a quick dessert or reheated, makes the perfect breakfast pastry. You will love it!

* You can substitute the chocolate for the same amount of hazelnut spread and a splash of milk.