Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake Recipe
Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake is a nostalgic, tender dessert featuring a smooth lemon-infused custard base baked into a delicate cake. With simple ingredients like eggs, sugar, milk, lemon zest, and flour, this recipe yields a comforting treat that showcases bright citrus notes and a creamy texture, perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Custard Batter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Gradually add the milk while continuing to whisk to combine.
- Add lemon zest and flour: Stir in the lemon zest to infuse the batter with bright citrus flavor. Sift the flour and gently fold it into the mixture until fully incorporated and smooth without lumps.
- Pour and bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a baking pan with parchment paper. Pour the custard batter into the pan and place it in the oven. Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes or until the custard is set and the top is lightly golden. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean with a slight moist crumb.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. This allows the custard to fully set and enhances the texture.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the zest to maximize citrus aroma and flavor.
- If you prefer a sweeter cake, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving.
- This cake is best enjoyed within 2 days, stored covered in the refrigerator.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Keywords: Italian lemon cake, lemon custard cake, grandma’s cake, rustic Italian dessert, baked custard cake
