Il Cucinologo
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Special Mimosa Cake Recipe

17/11/2023

The Mimosa Cake is a classic Italian pastry, typically prepared for Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th. Here is a special recipe with a personal touch that I hope you will enjoy.

Ingredients

  • For the sponge cake:

    • 4 large eggs
    • 120g sugar
    • 120g 00 flour
    • Grated zest of 1 lemon (for a citrusy touch)
    • A pinch of salt

  • For the custard:

    • 500ml whole milk
    • 150g sugar
    • 4 egg yolks
    • 40g 00 flour
    • Zest of 1 lemon
    • Vanilla, one pod or extract

  • For the Alchermes soak:

    • 100ml water
    • 100g sugar
    • A shot of Alchermes liqueur

  • For the finishing:

    • 200ml whipping cream
    • Powdered sugar to taste

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the sponge cake: beat the eggs with the sugar until you obtain a foamy and pale mixture. Add the grated lemon zest and a pinch of salt.
  2. Gently fold in the sifted flour, moving the mixture from the bottom up to avoid deflating the volume.
  3. Pour the mixture into a buttered and floured pan and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 30 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, prepare the custard: heat the milk with the lemon zest and vanilla. Separately, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar, then add the flour. Incorporate the hot milk, straining it, and cook until the cream thickens, stirring constantly.
  5. For the soak, dissolve the sugar in the water and bring to a boil. Let cool and add the Alchermes liqueur.
  6. When the sponge cake is cool, cut it into three layers. Soak the first layer with the Alchermes soak, then spread a layer of custard.
  7. Add the second sponge layer, soak and cover with custard. Close with the last layer and soak lightly.
  8. Whip the cream and cover the entire cake with a thin layer.
  9. Cut the leftover sponge cake into small cubes and use them to decorate the cake, creating the mimosa effect.
  10. Before serving, dust with powdered sugar for a perfect finish.

Trivia

The Mimosa Cake takes its name not only from the flower but also from its appearance: the sponge cake cubes on the surface recall the small yellow pompoms of the mimosa flower. The cake has become a culinary symbol of March 8th because the delicacy and lightness of the cake aim to honor all women.