Description
A traditional Italian breakfast cake with a light, fluffy texture and bright lemon flavor. This simple ring-shaped cake is perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack with coffee or tea. Known for its restorative properties, it’s often enjoyed the morning after celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For the Glaze (Optional)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan
- Bring eggs and milk to room temperature
Making the Cake
- In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together:
- Butter
- Sugar Beat for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition
- Mix in:
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Olive oil
- Gradually add flour mixture alternating with milk:
- Start with 1/3 of flour mixture
- Add 1/2 of milk
- Add 1/3 of flour mixture
- Add remaining milk
- End with remaining flour Mix until just combined after each addition
- Pour batter into prepared pan
- Smooth top with spatula
- Tap pan gently to remove air bubbles
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until:
- Cake tester comes out clean
- Top is golden brown
- Edges pull away slightly from pan
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes
- Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack
Optional Lemon Glaze
- Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth
- Add lemon zest
- Pour over cooled cake
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for best results
- Don’t overmix the batter
- Cake keeps well at room temperature for 3-4 days
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10-12 slices
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg