Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake – Classic Recipe
Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake is a delightful dessert that captures the essence of family gatherings and sunny afternoons. This classic recipe features a creamy lemon custard filling nestled in a flaky, buttery crust, creating a harmonious blend of tangy sweetness that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether served warm or chilled, this cake is sure to impress guests and bring smiles to the table. With its vibrant flavor and elegant presentation, it’s an easy yet sophisticated treat to whip up for springtime celebrations or cozy coffee breaks at home.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 8 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 egg yolk
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly. Add egg yolk and enough cold water to form a dough.
- Press the dough into a tart pan, chill for about 30 minutes, then pre-bake for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, and egg yolks. Gradually add milk and cook until thickened.
- Stir in lemon juice, butter, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Pour the custard into the pre-baked crust and bake for 25–30 minutes until just set but slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (100g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 100mg