Description
A luxurious and festive Italian dessert made with layers of sponge cake soaked in rum syrup, filled with vanilla and chocolate pastry cream, and topped with whipped cream, toasted almonds, and cherries.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 large eggs
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups cake flour
- Butter, for greasing
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 long strip lemon zest
- 6 egg yolks
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ½ cup flour
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 oz chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup dark rum (or to taste)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tbsp superfine sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- Maraschino cherries, as desired
- Chocolate shavings, to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 340°F (170°C). Butter and line an 8-inch springform pan with parchment. Beat eggs and sugar at high speed for 12 minutes until thick and frothy, adding vanilla in the last minute. Sift in flour and fold gently until smooth. Pour into the pan and bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Heat 2½ cups milk with lemon zest until steaming. In another bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and flour, then add remaining ½ cup cold milk. Slowly whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture, strain back into the pan, and cook over medium heat until thick. Divide in two bowls; stir chopped chocolate into one. Cover each with plastic wrap and chill.
- Heat water and sugar over medium heat until dissolved. Let cool, then stir in rum and set aside.
- Chill a bowl and whisk, then beat heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and vanilla; whisk to stiff peaks. Refrigerate until needed.
- Slice sponge into three even layers. Place the first on a platter, brush with one-third of rum syrup, and spread vanilla pastry cream. Add second layer, brush with syrup, and spread chocolate pastry cream. Top with the final layer, brush with remaining syrup, and refrigerate 1 hour to set.
- Toast almonds at 350°F (180°C) for 8–10 minutes until golden. Frost the cake with most of the whipped cream, smooth the surface, and press almonds onto the sides. Pipe remaining cream on top and garnish with maraschino cherries and chocolate shavings.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Use high-quality rum for better flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 61g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 150mg