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Delicious slice of Grandma's homemade cake on a plate.

Grandma's Cake

A delightful cake that brings back sweet memories of home, featuring a creamy filling and a crispy buttery crust with refreshing lemon and vanilla notes.
Stampa ricetta Pin Recipe
Preparazione 1 ora 30 minuti
Cottura 35 minuti
Tempo totale 2 ore 5 minuti
Porzioni: 8 servings
Portata: Dessert, Snack
Cucina: American, Baked Goods
Calorie: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredienti
  

For the Pastry Cream Filling
  • 2.5 cups milk (590ml)
  • ¼ cup cornstarch (30g)
  • ⅓ cup sugar (70g)
  • 5 egg yolks egg yolks
  • ½ tsp vanilla paste or 1 vanilla bean *see notes below
  • 1 pinch salt
  • Zest of 1 lemon
For the Pastry
  • 2 cups flour (00 flour or all-purpose (250g))
  • ½ cup caster sugar (golden or white (80g))
  • 8.5 tbsp cold butter (cubed (120g))
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
For Assembly
  • ¼ cup pine nuts (30g)
  • Confectioners sugar (for dusting)

Method
 

Make the Pastry Cream Filling
  1. In a pot, heat the milk and stir in sugar and cornstarch.
  2. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks with vanilla, a pinch of salt, and lemon zest until smooth.
  3. Gradually mix in the hot milk mixture into egg yolks and then return to the pot over low heat.
  4. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. Let it cool.
Make the Pastry
  1. Mix flour, caster sugar, and cold butter in a bowl until crumbly.
  2. Add in the egg, lemon zest, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
  3. Mix until a dough forms and chill for 30 minutes.
Assemble the Cake
  1. Roll out the pastry dough and line a cake tin.
  2. Spread the pastry cream filling evenly over the base then sprinkle pine nuts on top.
  3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes or until golden.
Serve the Cake
  1. Once the cake has cooled, dust it lightly with confectioners sugar.
  2. Serve on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Note

Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best mixing results. Do not overwork the pastry dough to keep it tender. Experiment with various nuts or even fruits (like berries) to change the flavor profile. For a richer taste, try adding a little more vanilla. You can store Grandma's Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you may freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil. These can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.