How To Make Italian Sponge Cake - Pan di Spagna (e91)

Buon Giorno A Tutti! In this episode, Nonna Mia, la nonna di tutti (everyone's grandmother), bakes up a delicious Italian Sponge Cake - Pan Di Spagna. This is a simple 3-ingredient cake: eggs, sugar, and flour…with no baking powder. It is even oil and dairy-free.

Pan di Spagna / Italian Sponge Cake is a highly versatile cake that you can enjoy plain, just dusted with powdered (icing) sugar, or drizzled with liqueurs, creams, fruit or really, whatever your heart desires. It was originally made in honour of the Spanish court in the 18th Century and as such, it takes it name from Spain (Spagna).

Here are the ingredients that you will need for the sponge cake:
- 6 extra large eggs (at room temperature)
- 200 grams of sugar (1 cup)
- 200 grams of flour (1.5 cups)
- pinch of salt
- 5 ml (1 tsp) of vanilla extra (or lemon zest, or almond extract as desired)

You will want to use a standing mixer for this recipe as it requires 15 to 20 minutes of whipping. There is no baking powder or leavening agent - the air, incorporated while beating, helps the cake to rise.

As you are beating the eggs, you will want to slowly add in the sugar. Once the eggs and sugar are fluffy and form ribbons when lifted, you can then add in the vanilla extract (or alternative) and a pinch of salt. Mix in then, slowly add in 200 grams (about 1.5 cups) of flour. Be gentle as you will want to keep the batter light and airy.

Grease a 25 cm / 10-inch spring-form pan and add the batter. You will bake this in an oven preheated to 340F / 170C. It will take about 35 minutes, but do not open the oven for the first 30 minutes. Test with a toothpick or spaghetti stick (as Nonna always does) to ensure it comes up clean. Once done, turn the oven off, slightly open the oven door and leave for another 5 minutes.

Allow to cool and then remove from pan, placing the cake on a cooling rack.

Once cooled, dust with powdered (icing) sugar, or proceed to dress it up as desired. Here, Nonna adds whipped cream and strawberries. If you wish to make this version, you will also need the following ingredients:

- 500 ml (2 cups) of 35% whipping cream (whipped)
- 80 ml (1/3 cup) liqueur (Nonna uses Amaretto), you could certainly add more if you wish
- 250 ml (1 cup) of strawberry jam
- about 500 grams of fresh sliced strawberries
- 25 grams (1/4 cup) sliced almonds
- balsamic glaze (optional)

With a spoon, drizzle the liqueur all along the cake surface. Then smooth on the strawberry jam. Whip up the whipping cream, and spread across, add fresh sliced strawberries, and some more cream if desired. Top the cake with the other layer, spread the whipped cream, top with the strawberries, sprinkle the sliced almond and drizzle with balsamic glaze (optional).

... and that's it. We hope you enjoy the cake!

Buon appetito!

Contact Details:
Mobile: 1 249.877.8822 or via
Email: nonnamiarecipes@gmail.com & josietulipano@gmail.com

YouTube Channel:
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TikTok @nonnamiarecipes
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Buon appetito!

Contact Details:
Mobile: 1 249.877.8822 or via
Email: nonnamiarecipes@gmail.com & josietulipano@gmail.com

YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoXQ3YAVnZi3dPghl2pAH7w

TikTok @nonnamiarecipes
Instagram: nonnamiarecipes
Facebook: @nonnamiarecipes

Видео How To Make Italian Sponge Cake - Pan di Spagna (e91) канала Nonna Mia!