Il Cucinologo
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Magic Cake

17/11/2023

The magic cake is a very particular dessert that takes this name because with a single batter three different layers are obtained after baking: a layer of flan or pudding, a creamy layer and a layer of sponge cake or pan di Spagna. Now I will describe the ingredients and the procedure to prepare this delicious dessert.

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs at room temperature
  • 150 g of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of water
  • 125 g of melted and cooled butter
  • 115 g of flour
  • 500 ml of lukewarm milk
  • 1 vanilla bean or one teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 150 °C.
  2. Separate the egg yolks from the whites and set the latter aside.
  3. Beat the egg yolks with the sugar and water until you obtain a light and frothy mixture.
  4. Add the cooled melted butter and continue beating.
  5. Add the sifted flour and mix gently.
  6. Gradually incorporate the lukewarm milk and the vanilla extract or the seeds from the vanilla bean, stirring until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous batter.
  7. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
  8. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the yolk mixture, being careful not to deflate them and keeping the batter as airy as possible.
  9. Pour the batter into a previously buttered and floured cake pan.
  10. Bake and cook for about 50-60 minutes or until the surface of the cake turns golden and the texture feels firm to the touch.
  11. Let the magic cake cool completely before unmolding it, as it needs adequate time to stabilize the layers.
  12. Once cold, you can dust it with powdered sugar before serving.

Trivia

The magic cake is considered “magic” precisely because although the layers seem to require different preparations, everything actually happens thanks to the variable density of the mixture and the different cooking temperatures of the ingredients that form distinct layers during baking in the oven. It is a dessert that has enjoyed great success all over the world for its singular beauty and for the exquisite combination of textures.