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Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake

Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake - A Slice of Sunshine

Enjoy the nostalgic and tangy delight of Italian Grandma’s Lemon Custard Cake, a perfect balance of flavors.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 200

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour gluten-free flour works as a substitute
  • 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar for crust
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt a pinch is necessary
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter cold and cubed, or vegan butter for dairy-free
  • 1 large Egg Yolk for binding
  • 2 tablespoons Cold Water adjust for dough consistency
For the Custard
  • 2 cups Whole Milk or alternative milks like almond or coconut
  • 2/3 cup Granulated Sugar for custard
  • 4 large Egg Yolks no substitutes recommended
  • 1/4 cup Cornstarch may use flour
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest fresh lemons preferred
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Lemon Juice fresh juice is best
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter for custard, can be replaced with vegan butter
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract no suitable substitute

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium saucepan
  • Pastry cutter
  • Tart or cake pan
  • Whisk
  • Oven
  • Wire rack

Method
 

Make the Crust
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg yolk and cold water until a dough forms. Press the dough into a tart or cake pan and chill for 20-30 minutes.
Pre-Bake the Crust
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prick the bottom of the chilled crust with a fork and bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden. Allow to cool slightly on a wire rack.
Prepare the Lemon Custard
  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, and lemon zest until smooth. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice, unsalted butter, and vanilla until combined.
Bake the Cake
  1. Pour the custard into the pre-baked crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are set but the center remains jiggly. Allow to cool completely.
Chill Before Serving
  1. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours to set. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Slice and enjoy with fresh berries or whipped cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Prevent crust shrinkage by chilling before baking. Fresh ingredients yield the best flavor.

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