Giada's Chocolate Amaretti Cake

giada cake2

I liked this cake very much. It was like a big gorgeous brownie.
Easy to make, all ingredients get whizzed together in the food processor.

The hardest part is finding the Amaretti cookies.
(believe it or not, TJ Maxx always has them!).



Chocolate Amaretti Cake (adapted from Giada DeLaurentis)

Butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray
3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate or semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup baby amaretti cookies (about 2 ounces)
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
4 large eggs



Preheat oven to 350F.

Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray. Refrigerate. Microwave the chocolate until melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds, for about 1 minute.

Combine the almonds and cookies in processor. Pulse until the almonds and cookies are finely ground. Transfer the nut mixture to a medium bowl. Add the butter and sugar to the processor and blend until creamy and smooth. Add the grated orange peel and pulse briefly, until incorporated. Add the eggs 1 at a time. Blend until the eggs are incorporated. Clean the sides of the mixing bowl and blend again. Add the nut mixture and melted chocolate. Pulse until blended. Clean the sides of the bowl. Blend again.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the center puffs and a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes.



Can be made a day ahead and kept in the fridge.
Bring to room temperature before serving.



Sprinkle with cocoa powder or confectioners sugar and serve.

amaretti7

Enjoy!








Comments

I have had the same problem finding Amaretti cookies - thanks for the TJ Maxx tip!
Ciao Chow Linda said…
Stacey - I've been making a similar cake for years and it's always a huge hit. But instead of those expensive amaretti, look in the cookie aisle of your grocery store. At least in my supermarket, they're sold in a red foil bag (no individual wrapping of cookies).
The JR said…
Another gorgeous, yummy looking cake Stacey.
The Food Hunter said…
I've made this cake several times and it always turns out really good!
The Leftoverist said…
I was just wondering about amaretti and where I could find them! I remember when they were easier to fine. This cake looks really delicious. Happy New Year, Stacey!
Kathy Walker said…
This sounds wonderful! I always make a chocolate something for New Year's Day....must get to TJ's!
Patsyk said…
What a gorgeous cake! TJ Maxx for the cookies, really? Have to make a note of that!
Dana said…
Giada does love her amaretti cookies, doesn't she? I'm sure they are awesome in this cake.
PP said…
Nigella makes a great roaky road with the amaretti cookies (link below). http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120847124#120852534
Your tempting me.. I'm on detox for a couple more days!
Hungry Dog said…
I've been meaning to make this cake for awhile...glad to know it's earned its place on my "must try" list.

My real question is: why does TJ Max have amaretti cookies?
Anonymous said…
Hi everyone!

I stopped by our local TJ Max this morning, and sure enough, they had the autjentic Amaretti di Saronno Lazzaroni cookies. I bought the LAST box!!!!

Marika
kat said…
Matt loves those cookies so this cake would probably make him so happy!
lisa is cooking said…
This cake looks amazingly tender. Sounds delicious with the orange peel too.
Anonymous said…
I made this once for my office contest they had and it won 2nd place my butter tartlets got 1st. But chocolate is my favorite!!