Grandma’s cake
This legendary tart is a perfect example of the Italian tradition of conjuring up delicious desserts from simple, high-quality ingredients. It is a real treat for anyone with a sweet tooth. The preparation of this Italian classic may vary slightly depending on the region and personal taste, but the basic recipe usually remains the same. With its irresistible taste and charming appearance, the Torta della Nonna is a true highlight of Italian dessert art.
Amount
cake
Ingredients list
Shortcrust pastry (for a 11in/26cm ร tart pan)
- 450 g pastry flour (soft / patent)
- 200 g butter soft
- 150 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- lemon zest
- breadcrumbs
Filling
- 750 ml milk
- 3 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 200 g sugar
- 35 g cornstarch
- 30 g pastry flour (soft / patent)
- lemon peel
Topping
- 25 g pine nuts
- powdered sugar to taste
Directions
Shortcrust pastry
- Put the flour, sugar, eggs, softened butter and some lemon zest in the mixing bowl of the stand mixer and mix thoroughly with the dough hook. Then remove, knead firmly with your hands and form a loaf.
- Then wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to harden.
- After the cooling time, divide the dough into two equal halves and roll out both. Prepare a 11in/26cm ร tart pan, grease with butter and sprinkle the entire surface with a little breadcrumbs. Lay out the shortcrust pastry on the tart pan and cover the bottom and edges by carefully pressing with your fingers. Prick the pastry several times with a fork. Cut off the excess shortcrust pastry.
Filling
- In the meantime, preheat the oven to 300ยฐF (150ยฐC) top/bottom heat.
- Pour the milk into a pot. Remove the lemon peel with a peeler from an lemon. Make sure that the white bitter part remains on the lemon. Now add the peel to the milk and heat over low heat.
- Now put the egg yolk and the remaining eggs in a bowl and add the sugar. Mix thoroughly with a whisk. Then add the cornstarch and flour and mix well.
- Remove the lemon zest from the milk and add the egg mixture. Whisk continuously until the sauce is creamy and thick. Then let cool to room temperature.
- Then spread the cooled cream evenly over the shortbread and smooth it out with a pastry scraper.
- Then cover with the second short pastry and remove the excess edge. Prick the pastry lid several times with a fork and spread the pine nuts on top.
- Now put the cake in the oven for 50 minutes. Then increase the temperature to 360ยฐF (180ยฐC) and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Let cool for about 30 minutes before serving and sprinkle with powdered sugar to taste.Buon appetito!
Calories: 556kcal (28%)Carbohydrates: 77g (26%)Protein: 11g (22%)Fat: 23g (35%)Saturated fatty acids: 13g (65%)Trans fatty acids: 1gCholesterol: 152mg (51%)