Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake Recipe
Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake is a classic, tender dessert that captures the bright, fresh flavors of lemons combined with a rich, custard-like texture. This easy-to-make cake balances sweetness and citrus zest, making it perfect for an afternoon treat or a light dessert after dinner.
- Author: Daniel
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large fresh lemons (zest and juice)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch round cake pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and granulated sugar until well combined, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, whole milk, melted butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice together until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients while stirring gently; mix just until combined – a few small lumps are fine and help keep the cake tender.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pan and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Before serving, dust the top evenly with powdered sugar for a delicate presentation.
Notes
- Make sure your eggs are at room temperature to achieve a smooth batter and better rise.
- You can use a microplane to zest the lemons finely for the best texture.
- If you prefer a stronger lemon flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest.
- Ensure the butter is melted but not hot to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: lemon custard cake, Italian cake, lemon dessert, easy lemon cake, grandma's cake recipe, citrus cake