Best 5 Favorite Italian Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable flavors of Italy with our curated collection of traditional Italian cakes. From the classic sponge cake to the rich and decadent chocolate cake, each recipe offers a unique taste experience that will transport you to the heart of Italy.

1. **Torta della Nonna (Grandma's Cake)**: A beloved Tuscan cake featuring a tender custard filling, pine nuts, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Its rustic charm and homely flavor make it a comforting treat.

2. **Tiramisu**: A coffee-flavored dessert combining delicate ladyfingers soaked in espresso, creamy mascarpone cheese, and a dusting of cocoa powder. Its layered presentation and delightful balance of flavors make it a popular choice for special occasions.

3. **Cannoli**:Crispy pastry shells filled with a sweet, creamy ricotta filling and often adorned with candied orange peel, chocolate chips, or powdered sugar. These bite-sized treats are a Sicilian specialty that offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors.

4. **Sfogliatelle**: Layers of crispy pastry enveloping a sweet filling made from ricotta cheese, candied orange peel, cinnamon, and sugar. These delicate pastries are a specialty of the Campania region and offer a unique combination of flavors and textures.

5. **Torta Caprese**: A flourless almond and chocolate cake originating from the island of Capri. Its dense, moist texture and intense chocolate flavor make it a rich and decadent treat that is perfect for chocolate lovers.

6. **Pan di Spagna (Sponge Cake)**: A classic Italian sponge cake with a light and airy texture. It serves as the base for many other Italian cakes and desserts, providing a versatile platform for creativity and customization.

Immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Italy with these delectable cake recipes. Each one offers a unique taste experience that will satisfy your sweet cravings and leave you wanting more.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN CREAM CAKE I



Italian Cream Cake I image

This is a wonderful, award winning cake. Feel free to substitute your favorite nuts for the walnuts.

Provided by Chantal

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup butter
5 egg yolks
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
5 egg whites
2 cups white sugar
1 ½ cups buttermilk
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup flaked coconut
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
½ cup butter
3 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • Cream together 1 cup butter or margarine, egg yolks, and 2 cups white sugar. Alternately mix in flour and buttermilk. Add baking soda. Mix in 1 cup walnuts and coconut.
  • Beat egg whites, and fold into batter. Pour batter into three greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven.
  • Combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter or margarine, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract. Spread onto cooled cake. Top iced cake with chopped walnuts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 759.3 calories, Carbohydrate 91.3 g, Cholesterol 168.1 mg, Fat 41.5 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 9.5 g, SaturatedFat 21.9 g, Sodium 400.8 mg, Sugar 71.9 g

ITALIAN CREAM CAKE (OLD FAMILY RECIPE)



Italian Cream Cake (old family recipe) image

This recipe has been in my family for years, and in my opinion is the best Italian Cream Cake! It's very moist and always gets lots of compliments!

Provided by Kim D.

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 14 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/4 lb butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 lb butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 box powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • For cake: Cream butter, shortening and sugar.
  • Add egg yolk one at a time, beating after each addition (this is an important step!) Stir in baking soda and buttermilk.
  • Add sifted flour into batter, alternating with the buttermilk mixture.
  • Add vanilla, coconut and chopped pecans.
  • Beat egg whites and fold into batter.
  • Pour into a greased and floured 9X 13-inch cake pan for a sheet cake, or two 9-inch round cake pans for a round layered cake.
  • Bake for 45 minutes, or until cake tests done.
  • Remove from oven, cool completely before frosting.
  • For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter.
  • Add vanilla, powdered sugar, and pecans.
  • Continue to beat until you get a spreading consistency.

ITALIAN CREAM CAKE



Italian Cream Cake image

Sweet, cream cheese frostings served atop tender cakes make luscious desserts. And Joanne Brininstool's take on a classic is a perfect example. The moist treat from the Austin, Texas cook features a hint of coconut and nutty pecans with a moist and creamy frosting.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 18 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat butter and shortening. Gradually add sugar; beat 2 minutes longer. Add egg yolks and vanilla; beat for 1 minute. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. , In another bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter. Fold in coconut and pecans. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., For frosting, in a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Spread over cake. Sprinkle with pecans. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts :

TIRAMISU CAKE



Tiramisu Cake image

Turn your favorite Italian restaurant treat into a spectacular cake, starting with a cake mix and coffee. This is a great make-ahead recipe, since the cake tastes better the longer it sits.

Provided by Paula Kittelson

Categories     Dessert

Time 5h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ yellow cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
3/4 cup hot brewed espresso coffee or very strong coffee
2 tablespoons cognac
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
3 cups mascarpone cheese
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cognac
3 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup cold whipping cream
3 tablespoons Dutch processed or regular unsweetened baking cocoa
Chocolate-covered coffee beans
3 oz dark baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with shortening; line pans with cooking parchment paper. Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Pour batter into pans.
  • Bake 25 to 29 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely.
  • In small bowl, mix coffee syrup ingredients. Set aside to cool.
  • Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat mascarpone cheese, 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons cognac and the vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. In small bowl, beat whipping cream with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into mascarpone mixture until combined.
  • To assemble, cut each cake horizontally to make 2 layers. Place 1 cake layer on plate; moisten generously with coffee syrup, then spread with about 1 cup of the filling. Repeat with remaining 3 cake layers. Spread remaining filling over top and side of cake.
  • Sprinkle cocoa over cake. Arrange coffee beans around top edge of cake. Sprinkle chopped chocolate around bottom edge of cake. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 630, Carbohydrate 49 g, Cholesterol 145 mg, Fat 8 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 23 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 310 mg, Sugar 35 g, TransFat 1 g

MOST ALLTIME FAVORITE! ITALIAN CREAM CAKE



MOST ALLTIME FAVORITE! Italian Cream Cake image

I used to make an Italian Cream Cake prior to making this particular recipe for many years that I swore was the best. Well I was wrong, because since I had the good luck in finding this recipe I've no longer gone back to the older cake recipe. Found it in "Taste of the South" magazine some 5 - 6 years ago. It's one of Trisha Yearwood's family recipes that was featured. I'm not even sure if she's given it in her cooking TV show. I've added a couple of little changes that I believe gave it a couple of extra points. But anyway, this cake is unsurpassed perfection on a plate and one I know I will treasure for many years.

Provided by ForeverMama

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h10m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sugar
5 large eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk, well shaken
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup chopped pecans (for garnish if desired) or 1/2 cup toasted coconut (for garnish if desired)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 (16 ounce) box confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon coconut extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Grease and lightly flour three (9") round cake pans. Set aside.
  • In a bowl, sift flour and soda together and set aside.
  • Beat butter and shortening with sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer for approximately 5 minutes, or until fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. With the mixer on medium speed, add flour and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with buttermilk. Add vanilla, coconut, and pecans, and stir well to incorporate.
  • In a separate bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites to stiff peaks. Gently fold beaten egg whites into batter, just until blended. Pour batter into prepared pans.
  • Bake for 25 minutes. Test for doneness by touching the top of cake with your finger. Cake is done if it bounces back up. Cool layers on wire racks sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  • When cake has cooled completely. spread frosting between layers and on sides and top of cake. Garnish with pecans or coconut, if desired.
  • ITALIAN CREAM FROSTING:.
  • Beat cream cheese and butter at high speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Reduce speed to medium and add sugar, vanilla and coconut extracts. Beat well until frosting is smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 737.3, Fat 38.2, SaturatedFat 17.2, Cholesterol 129.7, Sodium 273.4, Carbohydrate 93.9, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 75.8, Protein 7.7

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. This means using fresh eggs, butter, and milk, as well as good-quality flour and sugar.
  • Be sure to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help to incorporate air into the batter, resulting in a lighter and more tender cake.
  • Gradually add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. This will help to prevent the eggs from curdling.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake.
  • Bake the cake at the correct temperature and for the correct amount of time. If the cake is not baked long enough, it will be undercooked and gooey. If it is baked for too long, it will be dry and crumbly.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help to prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off the cake.

Conclusion:

Italian cakes are a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With so many different recipes to choose from, there is sure to be an Italian cake that everyone will love. Whether you are looking for a classic cake like the Genoise cake or a more modern creation like the Tiramisu, you are sure to find a recipe that you will enjoy. So next time you are in the mood for a sweet treat, be sure to try one of these delicious Italian cakes.

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