History

Torta Russa is a 20th-century Veronese invention, conceived in the 1950s and popularised through Pasticceria Flego on Via Stella. The name refers to the cake's flat shape resembling a traditional Russian fur hat, not to any Russian ingredient. The cake combines almond flour, butter, sugar and a splash of rum; it travels well and is a steady Veronese gift cake.

Common allergens: Gluten, Almond (tree nut), Eggs, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield 22Hands-on 30 minTotal 1 hr 30 minDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 200g almond flour (finely ground blanched almonds)
  • 200g 00 flour
  • 200g caster sugar
  • 200g unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 60ml dark rum
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Icing sugar to finish

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 170C and butter a 22cm round cake tin, lining the base with parchment.
  2. In a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping the bowl between additions.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk the almond flour, 00 flour, baking powder and salt.
  5. Fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture in 3 additions.
  6. Fold in the rum, vanilla and lemon zest.
  7. Pour into the prepared tin and smooth the top.
  8. Bake 50 to 55 minutes until golden and a skewer inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool 15 minutes in the tin, then unmould and cool completely on a wire rack.
  10. Dust generously with icing sugar before serving.

Tip from the editors. The cake keeps 4 days at room temperature wrapped in baking paper; the rum-and-almond flavour intensifies on day two.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat torta russa

Torta Russa in Verona

Pasticceria Flego ★ 4.6

Bakery€Mon-Sun 07:30-20:00Walk-in onlyVeronese pasticceria with almond and hazelnut biscuits

Pasticceria Flego opened in 1950 in Verona and runs three city shops. TableJourney editor pick with address and booking notes inside the entry.

Tip: Buy Baci di Giulietta in a 250g paper box (€18); the Torta Russa is the second souvenir.

Worth the queue: Baci di Giulietta (almond-hazelnut shortbread)

Via Stella 13, 37121 Verona

Pasticceria Bissoli ★ 4.2

Bakery€Tue-Sun 07:00-19:30, closed MonWalk-in onlyVerona pasticceria with seasonal cakes

Pasticceria Bissoli in Verona bakes a strong Torta Russa (the buttery almond cake invented by a 1950s Veronese pastry chef) plus a daily counter of mignon .

Tip: The Torta Russa is sold whole or by the slice (€4); pair with a glass of Recioto della Valpolicella for dessert.

Worth the queue: Torta Russa di Villafranca

Via Sant'Antonio 12, 37122 Verona

More cities are in research. Want torta russa covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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