When I celebrated my birthday in Positano, Italy years ago, the hotel surprised me with a Torta Caprese - a chocolate and almond cake with a thin hard shell and a moist interior. It was indulgent, yet simple, and I was immediately hooked. The cake originated near Positano, on the island of Capri (hence the name "caprese"), in the 1920s and since then inspired many recipe variations.
Unlike the refined Gateau Reine de Saba (another chocolate and almond cake on this website), Torta Caprese is a rustic, simple cake. Use coarsely ground almond meal for a nice flavor and bite.
Recipe below.