This amazing Grandma’s Cake recipe delivers a slice of pure indulgence. The cake has a sweet pastry base surrounding the creamy vanilla-lemon filling. It is topped with a thin layer of golden pastry and addictively crunchy pine nuts. Pretty and beyond delicious!
Start off by making the pastry. Then chill the pastry for 30 minutes. Once chilled, divide the pastry into two-thirds for the base, and one-third for the lid. Make the custard filling and set aside to cool completely. Line a deep 8-inch round springform pan with a larger piece of pastry, then spoon the custard into the pastry base. Roll out the remaining pastry and cut out an 8-inch round to fit the pan. Press the edges lightly to seal and sprinkle over the pine nuts. Bake the cake for 50 minutes until deliciously golden. Once cool, dust the top with confectioners’ sugar and serve. If you feel like the cake needs something to compliment the rich custard filling, some fresh berries sound perfect.
To make the Grandma’s Cake, you will need the following ingredients:
In a food processor, combine 200 grams all-purpose flour, ⅔ teaspoon baking powder, 75 grams chilled and chopped unsalted butter, 75 grams caster sugar, finely grated zest of ½ a lemon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 medium egg and pulse until the mixture comes together.
Wrap the dough and chill for 30 minutes.
In a saucepan, heat 300 milliliters semi-skimmed milk and finely grated zest of ½ a lemon until nearly boiling.
Meanwhile, place three eggs, 100 grams caster sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste, and 25 grams flour into a medium heatproof bowl and whisk together to combine.
Gradually whisk in the milk.
Scrape the mixture back into the empty saucepan. Return to the heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thick. Take off the heat and cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin forming. Leave to cool to room temperature.
Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Lightly grease an 8-inch round springform pan.
Take the pastry out of the fridge, and divide it into two-thirds for the base and one-third for the top. Lightly flour a work surface and roll a larger piece of the pastry. Use it to line a deep, 8-inch round springform pan.
Whisk the filling and spoon into the pastry base. Trim the base pastry, if needed, so it comes about ¾-inch above the filling, then gently fold the pastry onto the filling.
Roll out the remaining pastry and cut out an 8-inch round. Lay it on top of the filling and press the edges lightly to seal. Sprinkle over 25 grams pine nuts. Press them down gently into the pastry.
Bake for 50 minutes until golden. Cover with foil if the top is getting too brown.
Leave to cool for at least 4 hours at room temperature before releasing from the springform pan.
Dust the cake with confectioners' sugar, slice and serve with berries if you wish.
Looking for an easy holiday dessert? This Grandma’s Cake recipe offers a slice of pure joy! Try this recipe soon, and remember to tag us @cookmerecipes to share your baking projects with us.
I made my grandma's cake last week and it was super exciting! The pastry was easy and the creamy vanilla-lemon filling was tasty like my childhood. It brought back so many memories of family meals. Everyone loved it and I can’t wait to bake it again. Truly exceptional!
OMG, this Italian Grandma’s Cake is a game changer. Made it for my buddy’s bday and it vanished in minutes. The vanilla-lemon filling was like a hug from my grandma. It’s def worth the time, and the pine nuts add a crunchy wow factor. Will def be my go-to for every party now.
Superb! My family devoured this cake for our birthday party, it was so easy yet a showstopper!
I made Italian Grandma’s Cake for my kids' school bake sale. They loved it! The lemon filling was light and fresh. I'm so proud to share this beautiful cake with others. Will make it again for sure.
Yum!
Yo, this Italian Grandma's Cake is somethin' else! I made it for the fam's Sunday dinner, and they went crazy over it. So simple but tastes fancy, like a lil piece of heaven. Totally nailed it!
Ay Dios mío! Hice este pastel de abuela y fue un hit en la fiesta de mi hijo. La combinación de la crema de vainilla y limón es pura locura. ¡Mis peques se lo devoraron en minutos! Volveré a hacerlo sin duda.
This cake is seriously a game changer! Made it for my friend's bday and it was a total hit. So smooth, creamy, and the pine nuts are a perfect touch. Yum!
Delish!
Delicious. Made this for my husband's birthday, everyone loved it.
Delicious! Amazing! hanks for sharing the recipe!
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