A super easy-to-make Italian dessert that’s full of flavor! 😋✨

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🏛 A Bit of History

The Italian cake is a gem of Italian pastry, with influences from Tuscan and Sicilian cuisine. It's said that this type of sponge cake originated in monasteries, where nuns experimented with almonds, flour, and candied fruits.

Today, every region of Italy has its own version—some with ricotta, others with almonds, citrus fruits, or even chocolate. A true feast for the senses! 😍

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🥣 Ingredients (Serves 8)

📌 For the Cake Batter:

✅ 3 eggs 🥚
✅ 150 g sugar (can be brown sugar or sweetener) 🍬
✅ 200 g almond flour 🌰
✅ 1 tsp baking powder 🥄
✅ A pinch of salt 🧂
✅ 100 ml light olive oil 🫒
✅ 1 tsp vanilla extract 🌿
✅ Zest of 1 lemon 🍋

📌 Optional Topping:

✅ Powdered sugar for dusting ❄️
✅ Sliced almonds for decoration 🌰

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🔥 Step-by-Step for the Perfect Italian Cake

1️⃣ Initial Prep

🥄 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
🥄 Grease a cake pan with a little butter and sprinkle with flour to prevent sticking.

2️⃣ Mix the Dry Ingredients

🥣 In a large bowl, mix the almond flour, salt, and baking powder.

3️⃣ Beat Eggs & Sugar

🥚 In another bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step will help make the cake soft and airy.

4️⃣ Add the Wet Ingredients

🫒 Gradually add the olive oil while continuing to beat. Then, add the lemon zest and vanilla extract.

5️⃣ Final Mixing

🔄 Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Don’t overmix—this helps the cake stay airy.

6️⃣ Bake

🔥 Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

7️⃣ Final Touches

❄️ Let it cool, then dust with powdered sugar and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Ready to enjoy! 😍🍰

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📊 Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

🔹 Tip: For a healthier version, replace sugar with honey or a natural sweetener like stevia.

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😂 Funny Story: Nonna’s Great Cake

Legend says an Italian nonna (grandma) wanted to surprise her family with a new cake. Since she had no wheat flour, she used ground almonds.

While preparing it, her cat jumped on the table and knocked over half the sugar, so the cake turned out less sweet than expected. But in the end, the family loved it! From that day on, the cake became a family tradition in many Italian homes. 😆🐱🍰

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💡 Extra Tips for the Perfect Italian Cake

✔ For an even more Italian touch, add 50 g of ricotta or mascarpone to the mix.
✔ For extra flavor, try a splash of almond liqueur (like Amaretto).
✔ Perfect pairings: A shot of espresso ☕ or a sweet wine like Vin Santo.

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🎉 All done! Now all that’s left is to enjoy this delicious Italian cake with friends and family. Are you ready to try it? 🇮🇹🍰