Torta della Nonna – Italian Grandma’s Cake
Description
Torta della Nonna, meaning “Grandmother’s Cake,” is a classic Tuscan dessert that perfectly balances simplicity and elegance. It combines a buttery pastry crust (pasta frolla) with a creamy, lightly flavored custard filling (crema pasticcera). The top is adorned with pine nuts and a dusting of powdered sugar after baking. The contrast between the crisp crust, silky custard, and nutty topping makes it unforgettable.
Ingredients
For the pasta frolla (shortcrust pastry):
2 ½ cups (320 g) all-purpose flour
⅔ cup (130 g) granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt
Zest of 1 lemon (optional but traditional)
¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
2 large egg yolks
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the crema pasticcera (Italian pastry cream):
2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
Zest of 1 lemon (use large strips of peel, not grated)
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons (25 g) cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or half a vanilla bean, split and scraped
For topping:
⅓ cup (50 g) pine nuts
Powdered sugar, for dusting after baking
