Raspberry Pudding Soft Cake (Torta Nua)

Delve into the delightful pairing of tart raspberries and smooth pudding with this exquisite Raspberry Pudding Soft Cake, a variant of the Italian Torta Nua. A testament to the allure of sweet treats, each slice promises a burst of fresh fruit and creamy pudding.

Pudding Creation:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups of milk
• Zest of one lemon
• 1 egg yolk
• 2/3 cup of caster sugar
• 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch

Method:

1. Begin by warming up most of the milk with the lemon zest in a saucepan until it’s about to reach a simmer. Keep an eye on it to prevent overheating.
2. Whisk the egg yolk with sugar and the remaining milk in a separate container.
3. Stir in the cornstarch until it’s completely dissolved in the mixture.
4. Gradually mix the egg mixture into the heated milk, stirring on a medium flame until the mixture becomes thick.
5. Once thickened, discard the lemon zest, and set the pudding aside to cool, covering it to prevent a skin from forming.

Sponge Cake Foundation:

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• A pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup of neutral oil (like canola)
• 1/4 cup of milk
• Zest of a small organic lemon
• 1 3/4 cups of standard flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder

Topping:

• 4 teaspoons of raspberry conserve
• A generous handful of fresh raspberries

Baking Steps:

1. Whip the eggs with salt until frothy, then sweeten with sugar until the mix is pale and thick.
2. Introduce the oil, milk, and lemon zest, blending them uniformly into the mixture.
3. Sift in the flour and baking powder, folding them into the wet ingredients until just combined.
4. Pour this batter into a greased 20 cm cake mold.
5. Swirl raspberry jam over the top, artfully creating a marbled effect.
6. Dot the surface with spoonfuls of the prepared pudding, then scatter fresh raspberries across.
7. Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 45 minutes, though the exact timing might vary.
8. Allow the cake to rest until completely cool, then dust with icing sugar and garnish with additional raspberries for presentation.

Serve this luscious Raspberry Pudding Soft Cake and enjoy a slice of heaven with every bite! 🍓🍰