12-Spoon Italian Cake
A classic and endearing treat, the 12-spoon Italian cake is renowned for its rich flavor, moist texture, and ease of preparation. Because it calls for 12 tablespoons of each major ingredient, it’s really simple to remember and make.
No difficult measures or scales needed! This cake perfectly captures the rustic beauty of baking at home in Italy, where ingredients like eggs, sugar, wheat, and oil naturally provide taste and balance. It’s ideal for serving with coffee or tea, or as a light dessert after dinner.
It’s soft, fluffy, and gently sweet with a hint of citrus or vanilla. This delicious cake embodies the essence of Italian heritage in every mouthful, regardless of baking experience.
Ingredients (for a 21×21 cm baking tray):
3 eggs
12 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla sugar
A pinch of salt
12 tbsp milk
12 tbsp vegetable oil
12 tbsp flour
1 tsp baking powder
Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Directions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
Prepare the Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, add 3 eggs.
Add 12 tbsp of sugar to the bowl.
Add 1 tsp of vanilla sugar.
Add a pinch of salt.
Beat the mixture for 3-4 minutes until it is light and frothy.
Add Wet Ingredients:
Add 12 tbsp of milk to the egg mixture and mix well.
Add 12 tbsp of vegetable oil and continue mixing until well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, combine 12 tbsp of flour and 1 tsp of baking powder.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until smooth and free of lumps.
Prepare the Baking Tray:
Grease a 21×21 cm baking tray or line it with parchment paper.
Pour the batter into the prepared tray, spreading it evenly.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve:
Allow the cake to cool in the tray for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust the top with powdered sugar before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Italian cake as a standalone dessert or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It also pairs well with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream.
Cooking Tips
Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
Check the cake a few minutes before the end of the baking time to prevent overbaking.