Italian Rum Cake
Directions
- 1Making a sponge cake requires a light hand so as not to deflate the air that's beaten into the eggs. If prepared correctly, the cake will rise and puff in the middle during baking then sink slightly so that it is mostly flat on top.
- 2Preheat the oven to 340ºF/170ºC. Butter a 8-inch or 9-inch (20 or 23 cm) springform cake pan and then line completely with parchment paper. Sieve the flour and set aside.
- 3Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs at room temperature with the sugar at maximum speed for about 15 minutes until a frothy and firm cream is obtained. In the last minute or two of beating, add the vanilla extract and lemon extract (if using).
- 4Once the eggs have been whipped, stop the stand mixer and add in the flour a little at a time. Fold the flour in with a large spatula, taking care to slowly incorporate it with gentle movements from the bottom up. Folding the flour in carefully is very important. Do not beat the batter or it will deflate and the cake won't rise.
- 5Pour the mixture into the prepared springform cake pan.
- 6Bake in a preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until cooked through, absolutely avoiding opening the door during the first 20 minutes of cooking. To be sure that the sponge cake is completely cooked, test the toothpick by inserting it in the center of the cake until it touches the bottom of the cake pan. If it comes out dry, the oven can be switched off. Leave the pan in the oven off (but still hot) and with the door open for about 5 minutes (this will prevent the sponge cake from undergoing a thermal shock and deflating too much as it cools).
- 7Remove the sponge cake from the pan and allow to cool completely on a cake rack before serving or storing.
- 8Place 2 ½ cups of milk and strip of lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the milk you can see steam rising. Don't boil. Set aside.
- 9In a bowl whisk egg yolks, sugar and flour until smooth. Whisk in the remaining ½ cup of milk. This mixture must be smooth.
- 10Remove strip lemon zest from the heated milk and discard.
- 11Slowly whisk hot milk into egg yolk mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- 12Strain the mixture back to the saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the mixture comes to the boil and thickens. Simmer for 1 minute to cook the flour.
- 13Divide the Italian pastry cream into two heatproof bowls.
- 14Stir the chopped chocolate thoroughly into one.
- 15Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface to stop a skin forming.
- 16Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Before using, stir until smooth.
- 17Prepare the rum syrup by combining the water and sugar in a saucepan and place over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
- 18Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- 19Stir the rum into the cooled simple syrup.
- 20Set aside until needed. Refrigerate if making in advance.
- 21Preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC.
- 22Spread the sliced almonds evenly on a baking sheet.
- 23Place in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned and smelling fragrant.
- 24Set aside to cool. Place in a sealed container if making in advance.
- 25Place the mixer bowl and whisk in the fridge or freezer to become really cold.
- 26If making stabilized whipped cream, sprinkle the unflavored, powdered gelatin over 4 teaspoons of water in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Set it aside for 3 or 4 minutes. Then microwave to melt the mixture and dissolve the powdered gelatin stirring as necessary. This will take just seconds, so watch it carefully. Set aside to cool slightly while you whip the cream.
- 27Pour the heavy whipping cream into the electric mixer bowl and add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Use the whisk attachment to whisk until the cream starts to thicken and form soft peaks.
- 28If using gelatin to make stabilized whipped cream, turn the mixer to a low speed and slowly pour in the gelatin mixture.
- 29Turn the mixer to high speed and whisk until firm peaks form, being careful not to overwhip.
- 30Use immediately or refrigerate briefly.
- 31Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the pan di spagna into three even layers.
- 32Place one layer of cake on a serving plate then spoon rum syrup over to moisten.
- 33Spread the vanilla pastry cream over the moistened bottom layer then top with another cake layer.
- 34Press the cake gently but firmly so that it sticks to the vanilla pastry cream.
- 35Moisten the second cake layer well with rum syrup then spread with chocolate pastry cream.
- 36Top with the final layer of cake, press it on well and moisten with the remaining rum syrup.
- 37If the cake seems unstable at this stage, refrigerate for an hour or place it in the freezer for 30 minutes to set.
- 38Using ¾ of the whipped cream frosting, spread over the top and sides of the Italian rum cake. Press sliced almonds onto the sides of the cake and use the remaining ¼ of the whipped cream frosting to pipe rosettes around the top edge.
- 39Decorate with maraschino cherries and flakes of chocolate
Ingredients
- 5 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 150 grams granulated white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon lemon extract/anisette (optional)
- 150 grams cake flour
- 720 ml whole milk
- 1 long strip lemon zest
- 6 egg yolks
- 150 grams white granulated sugar
- 60 grams all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 60 grams chopped dark chocolate
- 240 ml water
- 100 grams white granulated sugar
- 60 ml dark rum (more if a strong rum flavor is preferred)
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 240 ml heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon unflavored powdered gelatin (optional but required for stabilized whipped cream)
- 1 maraschino cherries and chocolate to decorate
Equipment
electric mixer (stand mixer or hand held)8 or 9 inch (20 or 23 cm) springform cake panlong serrated knife
Tips
- Most of the parts can be made in advance.
- Make the cake up to a month ahead. Wrap it well in plastic and freeze. It will thaw quickly.
- The crema pasticcera made a day or two before will keep well in the fridge. Press some plastic wrap on the surface so it doesn’t form a skin.
- Rum syrup keeps well in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.
- The part that can’t be made in advance is the whipped cream frosting. Make it just before you need it. Have the cream very cold as well as the beaters and the bowl
Related recipes
Cheese bread
Italian · Baked Goods
Mini Carbonara Quiches
Italian · Baked Goods
Same-day Focaccia
Italian · Baked Goods
Cheesy Bread
Italian · Baked Goods
Caramelized Zucchini Meatballs
Italian · Baked Goods
Sheet Pan Chicken and Gnocchi
Italian · Baked Goods
Chicken caesar garlic knot sandwiches
Italian · Baked Goods
Focaccia di Zucchine
Italian · Baked Goods
Savory Garlic Parmesan Rolls
Italian · Baked Goods
Seeded no knead bread
Italian · Baked Goods
Homemade Pizza Dough
Italian · Baked Goods1h
Cheesy garlic brioche
Italian · Baked Goods3h 10m