Torta della Nonna yum

Ah yes! Torta della Nonna—literally “Grandma’s Cake”—is a classic Italian dessert: a crisp, buttery pastry filled with creamy custard and topped with pine nuts and powdered sugar. Here’s a traditional, delicious recipe.

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Torta della Nonna (Grandma’s Cake)

Servings: 8–10

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40–45 minutes

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Ingredients

Pastry (Pasta Frolla)

• 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour

• ⅓ cup (65 g) sugar

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for aroma)

Custard Filling

• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk

• 4 large egg yolks

• ⅔ cup (130 g) sugar

• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (or 2 tbsp cornstarch)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract or ½ tsp lemon zest

Topping

• 2–3 tbsp pine nuts

• Powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Make the Pastry

1. Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl.

2. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Add egg, vanilla, and lemon zest; knead into smooth dough.

4. Wrap in plastic and chill 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Custard

1. In a saucepan, heat milk until just simmering.

2. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and flour in a bowl until smooth.

3. Slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture, whisking constantly.

4. Return to saucepan, cook over low heat until thickened. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool slightly.

3. Assemble the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Roll 2/3 of dough into a circle to line a 9-inch tart pan.

3. Pour custard over the pastry.

4. Roll remaining dough into a disc to cover custard (like a pie top). Seal edges.

5. Brush top lightly with milk or egg wash.

6. Sprinkle pine nuts evenly over the top.

4. Bake

• Bake 35–40 minutes until golden brown.

• Remove from oven, cool completely.

5. Serve

• Dust generously with powdered sugar before slicing.

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Tips

• Chill dough well; it makes handling and rolling much easier.

• Use a pastry scraper to lift dough into the pan to avoid tearing.

• Custard can be flavored with vanilla, lemon, or a hint of orange zest.

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Variations

• 🍫 Chocolate Torta della Nonna: Add a thin layer of melted chocolate under custard

• 🍎 Fruit twist: Add thin slices of pear or apple on top of custard before sealing

• 🥧 Mini tartlets: Make individual 4-inch versions for a party

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If you want, I can give you a super-easy shortcut version with store-bought puff pastry that’s still authentic-tasting but ready in under an hour.