11/15/2024
Famous Italian Rum sponge cake
😍😍😍👩🍳🇮🇹🇺🇸👨🍳👍🎂🍰😋
Popular in all Italian and Italian-American bakeries, rum cakes are the thing to eat on special occasions, namely birthdays and other celebrations.
Recipe
Sponge cake
Ingredients
6 eggs (at room temperature for at least 2 hours)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 ½ cups cake flour (or all purpose flour) sifted (see note below)
Pinch salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the rack on the second from the lowest slot.
Grease and flour an 8-inch or 9-inch cake pan or spring form pan. (I do not use baking spray for this cake.)
Using the whisk attachment from the stand mixer, beat the eggs, vanilla and sugar on high speed for about 10 minutes, even 15 minutes is acceptable, until very airy and pale. While the eggs are whipping, sift the flour and salt in a separate bowl.
Using a rubber spatula, very slowly and gently fold in the flour + salt into the beaten eggs, paying close attention so as not to deflate the batter. Mix in 3 – 4 separate times, do not add all the flour at once. Mix just until all the flour is incorporated, but do not over mix.
Pour the mixture into the buttered and floured pan and bake for about 33 – 35 minutes, or until the cake is slightly golden and springs back when lightly pressed.
Let the cake cool for 30 or so minutes, then remove from pan until ready to assemble.
Vanilla Pastry Cream
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons corn starch
Instructions
Add the milk and vanilla to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear around the edges.
With the whisk attachment of the stand mixer, beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale yellow, about 5 – 7 minutes on high speed. Sift the cornstarch and salt and continue to whisk until incorporated.
Reduce the speed to low and gently pour about a half cup of the hot milk over the egg mixture to temper the eggs. Gently add the remaining milk and whisk to combine.
Return the cream mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium – low heat, whisking constantly with a hand whisk, until it thickens to pudding-like consistency.
Remove from the heat and add to a bowl. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap directly on top of cream. Refrigerate fully for at least 2 hours before using the cream for the cake.
Chocolate Pastry Cream
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
3 oz dark chocolate, finely chopped (I use Lindt or Ghirardelli, 60-70% cacao)
3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons corn starch
Instructions
Add the milk, vanilla and chocolate to a medium saucepan and place over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear around the edges. Mix with a hand whisk to assure chocolate is fully melted.
With the whisk attachment of the stand mixer, beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale yellow, about 5 – 7 minutes on high speed. Sift the cornstarch and salt and continue to whisk until incorporated.
Reduce the speed to low and gently pour about a half cup of the hot milk over the egg mixture to temper the eggs. Gently add the remaining milk and whisk to combine.
Return the cream mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium – low heat, whisking constantly with a hand whisk, until it thickens to pudding like consistency.
Remove from the heat and add to a bowl. Lay a sheet of plastic wrap directly on top of cream. Refrigerate fully for at least 2 hours before using the cream for the cake.
Whipped Cream (Stabilized for frosting cake)
Ingredients
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar (sifted)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
2 teaspoons cornstarch (sifted)
Instructions
Using the whisk attachment of the stand mixer, on medium speed, beat the whipping cream until very soft peaks form.
Reduce speed and slowly add the sugar and mix for about 30 seconds. Add the vanilla.
Add the sifted cornstarch and continue mixing until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate cream until cake is ready to be frosted.
Rum Soak
Ingredients
¼ cup light or dark rum
1/3 cup water
½ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a light boil. Mix with a fork or small hand whisk until all the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat, place in a bowl or mug and cool before using.
Other ingredients
Slivered almonds
Cake decorations
Assembling:
After the sponge cake has cooled, carefully divide it in 3 layers. Using a long, thin bladed knife helps the process. (If you have 3 8-inch cake pans, you could divide the batter in the 3 pans and bake 3 thin cakes, but honestly, I’ve always just baked one and after some practice, have been able to divide it in 3 layers.) Place the bottom layer on a serving platter, cut side up.
With a pastry brush, brush the bottom sponge of the cake with the rum soak until the cake is well moistened but not soaked. You will end up using about one third of the soak.
Add one of the cooled creams (either chocolate or vanilla) to the cake and spread to the edges using the back of a spoon, or preferably a small off-set spatula.
Add the middle layer of the cake on top of the cream and once again, using a pastry brush, moisten the second layer with the rum soak, paying close attention again that it’s well moistened but not soaked or it will break apart.
Add the other pastry cream and once again spread to the edges.
On the cut side of the last remaining piece of cake, add the remaining rum mixture until moistened but not soaked. (It’s important to not over soak the last piece or you will have a hard time picking it up and placing it over the cream as it might break.)
Frost all sides of the cake with the stabilized whipped cream. Add the slivered almonds to the sides of the cake. Decorate the top of the cake with additional whipped cream rosettes, candied cherries, fresh berries or any way you wish.