Food & Drinks

Digby Cakes Easter Torte. A Nutty, Chocolatey Delight!

We’re in the kitchen with Digby Cakes, whipping up something truly special for your Easter celebrations. This Chocolate, Hazelnut, Almond & Date Torte is a delicious, rich cake with a perfect combination of chocolate, nuts, and dates. It's a simple yet indulgent dessert, perfect for your Easter celebrations!

Hi Louie, thank you so much for having us in your kitchen. Can you please share with us, who Digby Cakes is and how did you start in the dessert business? What inspires you in your work?

Digby Cakes was created by me, Louie, as a way to channel my passion for food and entertaining. Growing up, my parents’ enthusiasm for cooking and hosting made it an integral part of our lives. During Covid, while living in London and dealing with a difficult time in my life, I found solace in baking. What started with making pies and celebration cakes for friends quickly grew into more complex creations. After leaving my marketing job, I worked at a bakery in East London for 18 months before returning to Melbourne to start what is now Digby Cakes!

My inspiration comes from my family and the belief that every moment deserves to be memorable. At the heart of this business is the joy of bringing people together, whether it's for a milestone or just another day. Every celebration, big or small, matters - because in the end, it’s the little things that really are the big things.

How do you bring your unique style into everything you do?

I have an eye for colour and detail, which I bring into everything I do. I find inspiration for unique colour combinations in the world around me. Whether it’s nature, art, or even a fleeting moment in everyday life, and bring that creativity into my cakes and styling.

Chocolate, Hazelnut, Almond & Date Torte

Ingredients (Serves approx. 8-10)

250g milk chocolate

150g hazelnuts

100g almonds

250g pitted dates

180g egg whites

140g caster sugar

Pinch of salt

300ml thickened cream (chilled)

250g mascarpone (chilled)

2 TBSP caster sugar

2 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch of salt

Speckled eggs (we used Cadbury Mini eggs)

Florals for decoration (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan-forced). Line a 23cm springform tin with baking paper.

2. Finely chop the chocolate, nuts, and dates, and set them aside.

3. In a stand mixer, whisk the egg whites, sugar, and a pinch of salt on high speed until stiff peaks form.

4. Gently fold in the chopped chocolate, nuts, and dates until evenly combined.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin and bake for 45 minutes.

6. Once baked, turn off the oven and leave the door ajar to allow the torte to cool.

7. Once cool, refrigerate the torte overnight to allow it to set, making it easier to remove from the tin and cut.

8. Before serving, add cream, mascarpone, sugar, vanilla, and salt to a bowl. Beat on high until soft peaks form. Pipe the mixture onto the torte using a piping bag with a large piping tip.

9. For decoration, add speckled eggs and florals as desired!

What are your top tips for styling a gorgeous table and hosting a relaxed, memorable celebration all at once?

First, abundance is key—make sure there’s plenty of whatever you're serving so your guests feel welcomed and well taken care of. For the table, use varying heights and colors (like a cake stand and flowers) to add visual interest and make it great for photos. Set up your table styling ahead of time so you’re not stressing about the details when guests arrive—getting as much done early helps free up your focus.

Choose recipes that can mostly be made in advance, so you can relax and just add the finishing touches when the time comes. Finally, take it easy and have fun! Your guests will mirror your energy, so grab a drink and enjoy your hard work!