The final product. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios The verdict: Despite my careless burning from leaving it in the oven too long, the ...

Method Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas mark 3. Grease and line a 23cm round springform tin 10cm deep. Melt the ...

Recipe courtesy of Canal House Cooking Volume No. 7: La Dolce Vita by Melissa Hamilton & Christopher Hirsheimer/Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2012.

Leave to cool in the tin. To serve, dust the torte with icing sugar, cut into slices and with a spoonful of crème fraîche alongside.

Line a 20cm/8in loose-bottomed or spring-form tin with cling film and oil the film. Break the chocolate into pieces and drop into a food processor. Blend for one minute or until just a few pieces ...

Carefully fold in the almonds, chocolate and dates. Line a 24cm cake tin and pour in the torte mixture. Bake for 45 minutes. Turn the oven off and open the door slightly. Leave to cool in the oven.

“Can you bring something sweet?” How often do we hear this last-minute, stress-inducing, request the night before! Well this indulgent, fancy, truffle-like, flourless cake is the answer.