Description
Italian Grandma’s Cake (Torta della Nonna) is a traditional Italian dessert made with a buttery pastry crust, silky pastry cream filling, and a topping of pine nuts and powdered sugar. This elegant yet comforting cake is perfect for holidays, gatherings, or a taste of Italy at home.
Ingredients
- For the pastry crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp salt
- For the pastry cream:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1 tsp lemon zest
- For topping:
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add eggs and knead into a soft dough. Wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- In a saucepan, heat milk until steaming. In another bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar and cornstarch until smooth.
- Slowly whisk hot milk into the yolk mixture, then return all to the pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened. Stir in vanilla or lemon zest. Let cool.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a tart pan.
- Roll out half the dough and press into the pan. Pour in cooled pastry cream and smooth the surface.
- Roll out remaining dough and place on top. Seal edges and prick the top with a fork.
- Sprinkle with pine nuts and bake for 40–45 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar and serving.
Notes
- Flavor the cream with orange zest or almond extract for variation.
- Stir in melted chocolate for a chocolate version.
- Use almonds or hazelnuts if pine nuts are unavailable.
- Skip the top crust for a more rustic, open-face version.
- Spread a thin layer of raspberry jam under the cream for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
