How to Make Ciambellone Italian Cake

Ciambellone

Italian Golden Cake

Walk into any local bar in Italy and you’re sure to find a golden ciambellone that seems to be glowing from inside a cake stand resting on top of the counter like a jewel in a crown. 

A ciambellone is an Italian cake that is light, fluffy, and soft. It’s best eaten after it’s been freshly made or at least within a day if you even manage to have any left over for that long.

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At the Bar for Breakfast

I miss morning trips to the bar for breakfast. While living in Rome, we would often stop at our local bar to eat breakfast or grab an espresso. 

I have so many beautiful memories of stopping in at the bar with my kids while walking them to their school. It was such an easy stop to enjoy a quick breakfast, but also an intentional time to savor with them investing in our relationship. They often reflect on those memories we shared.

Recreate the Feeling

The local coffee shops here in America just aren’t quite the same culture or the same vibe of those in Italy. Sigh. 

Sometimes we will intentionally walk somewhere and order a pastry and a coffee to try and “recreate” the feeling. But most mornings, our little cucina feels more like the local bar of our Roman neighborhood. 

I do my best to live Italian where we are—even in the small, little ways. It's often the "little ways" that make the big differences, isn't it? I will often make things like cornetti filled with Nutella, another pastry, or this delicious ciambellone covered in a white dust of powdered sugar for breakfast.

A Simple Ciambellone Recipe

This recipe is simple and doesn’t require a lot of ingredients. You can easily put it together and bake it in less than an hour. 

You'll need some basic ingredients you probably have on hand in your pantry and some confectioners' sugar. You will also need a nine-inch bundt pan or ring mold pan.

Try it and gather the family around for a little moment of “sweetness” together before the day gets going. Buon appetito!

Ciambellone Recipe

A ciambellone is an Italian cake, typically eaten for breakfast, that is light, fluffy, and soft. It's best eaten after it's been freshly made or at least within a day if you even manage to have any left over for that long.

Ingredients

• 2 2/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

• 4 fresh eggs

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

• 2/3 cup milk

• 2/3 cup melted butter

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 4 tsp baking powder

Instructions

1. Sift the flour into a large bowl.

2. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until fluffy.

3. Add the sugar and mix for 2 minutes.

4. Add the vanilla, lemon, milk, and melted butter and mix until fully blended.

5. Slowly add the sifted flour, salt, and baking powder a little bit at a time until fully combined.

6. Pour the cake batter into a butter and flowered 9" ring or bundt pan. Use a knife or skewer to gently mix being sure there are no bubbles in the batter.

7. Bake at 350F for approximately 40 minutes until baked through.

8. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.

9. Dust with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.

Notes

This Italian cake is typically eaten for breakfast. It's light, fluffy, and soft. It is best eaten fresh or within one