Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2024)

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ByRosemary

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This Italian Mother-in-Law Cake also known as la Torta della Suocera is a quick and easy cake. Perfect for Breakfast or Snack and for serving unexpected guests, even your Mother-in-Law! Add a dusting of powdered sugar and it’s ready to serve.

Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (1)

If there’s one thing I learned from living in Italy all these years it’s that cake is a way to show off your baking ability. Everyone is proud of their creation. Whether you serve it as a Breakfast treat with a caffe latte or in the afternoon with an espresso.

Table of Contents

How to make it

In a large bowl beat together the eggs, yolk and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cream and beat on low to combine.

Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2)

Add the flour, baking powder and salt beat for about 1 minute. Pour into the prepared pan and bake.

Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (3)

Let the cake slightly cool in the pan then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (4)

Why is it called Mother-in-Law Cake?

Apparently the reason it is called this is because it can be made very quickly, so when your Mother-in-law phones at the last minute to say she is on her way, you can bake her a quick delicious cake in no time!

How to Make Cake Flour

For every cup of all purpose flour, remove two tablespoons and replace with two tablespoons of corn starch. Be sure to sift the flour and cornstarch together a couple of times, this way it is sure to be properly combined and lump free. Cake flour in cakes will give you a very tender texture and fine crumb, it will also help the cake to rise.

Why use whole or heavy cream?

Whole, heavy or whipping cream all have a higher fat content (around 30%) then lower fat or half and half cream. The higher fat is needed since this recipes does not contain butter or oil. If you use a lower fat cream I cannot guarantee the results.

Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (5)

What makes a cake fall?

  • There are a lot a reasons a cake may fall, but the most common ones are, your oven temperature is off, you can always check it with an oven thermometer to check this. You open the oven door too early.
  • Once the batter is mixed it should be baked, letting a cake batter sit too long can cause it to fall. The baking powder or baking soda usually start acting immediately and will only last for a very short period of time, therefore if the cake batter is left to stand before baking then there is always a risk that the baking powder or soda will have expired by the time that the cake goes into the oven.
  • Your baking powder or soda has expired and is no long active.
  • The pan size might not be the correct size, sometimes using a bundt pan will help.

How To Store The Cake

As long as the cake is unfrosted it should be kept at room temperature. Keep it in a cake container or well wrapped. It will keep for up to 3 days. If you store it in the fridge, wrap tightly to keep it from drying out. It will keep for up to 5-6 days in the fridge.

How To Freeze The Cake

Be sure to cool the cake completely then wrap it tightly in either plastic wrap or foil, place it in a freeze safe bag. The cake will keep for up to 2 months. When ready to thaw place the wrapped cake in the refrigerator to thaw before serving.

More Delicious Italian Cakes

  • Italian Lemon Bundt Cake
  • Italian Sponge Cake
  • Italian Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake
  • Easy Italian Apple Cake

So if you are looking for an easy cake to make whether it’s for your mother-in-law or not, I hope you try this Italian Mother-in-Law Cake and let me know how it is. Enjoy!

Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (6)

Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (7)

Italian Mother-in-Law Cake

Rosemary Molloy

This Italian Mother-in-Law Cake also known as la Torta della Suocera is a quick and easy cake. Perfect for Breakfast or Snack.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 servings

Calories 223 kcal

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • ½ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (112 grams total)
  • ¾ cup + 2 ½ tablespoons whole/heavy/whipping cream (200 grams total)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • cups cake flour*
  • teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt

*To make homemade cake flour, for every cup of flour remove 2 tablespoons and replace with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, sift together.

    Instructions

    • Pre-heat oven to 340F (170C). Grease and flour an 8 inch (20 cm) round cake pan.

    • In a large bowl (or stand up mixer using the whisk attachment) beat together the eggs, yolk and sugar until light and fluffy. About 4-5 minutes. Add the cream and vanilla and beat on low to combine.

    • Add the flour, baking powder and salt beat for 1 minute. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, check for doneness with a toothpick.

    • Let the cake slightly cool (about 10 minutes) in the pan then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!

    Notes

    To store the cake – as long as the cake is unfrosted it should be kept at room temperature. Keep it in a cake container or well wrapped. It will keep for up to 3 days. If you store it in the fridge, wrap tightly to keep it from drying out. It will keep for up to 5-6 days in the fridge.

    To freeze the cake – be sure to cool the cake completely then wrap it tightly in either plastic wrap or foil, place it in a freeze safe bag. The cake will keep for up to 2 months. When ready to thaw place the wrapped cake in the refrigerator to thaw before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 33mg | Potassium: 133mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 427IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg

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    1. Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (8)
      I think it’s pretty hilarious how these mother in law stressors seem to transcend all cultures/countries/languages. Having some irritations with my own MIL, that made me smile!

      On a different note, in our household we go wild for some nice homemade whipped cream… so to pour this into the batter, where it disappears into the cake… I don’t know how I feel about that! 😆 May just go with the lemon ricotta cake and have my whipped cream on top, where I can see it. 😃

      Reply

      1. Hi LP, I was lucky I had a wonderful MIL, why not have the cream in the batter and on top? :), although the lemon ricotta is a good idea too! Take care and have a great weekend!

        Reply

    2. Is this a moist cake and what do you think about adding lemon or almond flavoring?

      Reply

      1. Hi JoAnn, yes it is quite moist and either flavouring would be a good idea. I hope you enjoy it! Take care.

        Reply

    3. Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (9)
      This cake was soooo easy and quick and my family loved it so much it was literally gone in minutes. This one is going in my personal keep recipe book.

      Reply

      1. Hi Jen, thanks so much, so glad everyone enjoyed it. Take care!

        Reply

    4. I want to try making this soon…and was curious if the batter can hold the addition of fresh blueberries?

      Reply

      1. I would say it could. Let me know how it goes. Take care!

        Reply

      2. Will erythritol work as a sugar substitute?

        Reply

        1. Hi Joy, I can’t really say because I have never used a sugar substitute before. If you try it let me know how it turned out. Take care!

    5. Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (10)
      Very easy to make. Very good. Will definitely make again.

      Reply

      1. Hi Lorraine, thanks so much, so glad you liked it. Take care and have a great weekend!

        Reply

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    Italian Mother-in-Law Cake Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2024)

    FAQs

    Why is it called mother in law cake? ›

    Why is it called Mother-in-Law Cake? Apparently the reason it is called this is because it can be made very quickly, so when your Mother-in-law phones at the last minute to say she is on her way, you can bake her a quick delicious cake in no time!

    What happens if you don't use baking powder in cake? ›

    Baking powder, in particular, is one of those ingredients you can easily run out of without noticing, but when it comes to baking, it does a very particular job, and can be difficult to replace. Most baked goods need a leavening agent to make them rise, and if you leave it out, your cake or your cookies will fall flat.

    How to substitute cake flour for all purposes? ›

    Add an extra 2 tablespoons per cup of cake flour to equal the quantity in 1 cup of AP flour. If you're substituting all-purpose flour for cake flour, you'll want to reverse these ratios: Use 2 tablespoons less AP flour per cup of cake flour, and add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch per cup.

    What happens if you let cake batter sit? ›

    Similarly to using expired leaveners, letting your batter sit for too long before cooking will result in a heavy and dense cake. Fortunately, the solution is simple — be sure to preheat your oven as you mix up your batter, and pop the cake in to cook as soon as possible.

    What is a cake in slang for a woman? ›

    Referring to a beautifully shaped booty: In slang, "cake" can be used to describe a very nicely shaped buttocks. It is often used as a compliment [1].

    What is slang for mother-in-law? ›

    Synonyms. ma-in-law (colloquial), mom-in-law (US, informal), mum-in-law (British, informal) saas (India) shviger (US slang)

    Which is better for cake baking soda or baking powder? ›

    When to use which one. Baking soda is used in recipes that also include an acidic ingredient, such as cream of tartar, buttermilk, or citrus juice. Conversely, baking powder is typically used when the recipe doesn't feature an acidic ingredient, as the powder already includes the acid needed to produce carbon dioxide.

    Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder for cake? ›

    Baking soda can be substituted for baking powder by dividing the amount of baking powder needed by 4 and adding twice that amount of cream of tartar. Baking soda or baking powder are essential for your baked goods to come out light, airy, and with the right texture.

    Can I use egg instead of baking powder? ›

    Whipped egg whites. Many baked goods owe their light and airy texture to whipped egg whites rather than baking powder. This is because the process of whipping egg whites creates tiny air bubbles that increase volume and lightness.

    Which flour is best for cakes? ›

    plain flour

    Which is better for cakes cake flour or all-purpose flour? ›

    Cake flour = low protein = less gluten = softest texture = great for vanilla cake and vanilla cupcakes. All-purpose flour = medium protein = moderate gluten = suitable for anything, from chocolate chip cookies to pizza dough.

    Is it better to use cake flour or all-purpose flour? ›

    A cake with all-purpose flour substituted for cake flour is more likely to have a slightly coarser crumb, while a cake made with cake flour will have a finer, more even crumb and enhanced tenderness. Our Traditional Angel Food Cake is a good example.

    Can I leave cake batter in the fridge overnight? ›

    Foodtoimpress.com suggests that Cake Batter can be Refrigerated Overnight or up to 48 hours to Maintain its Freshness and Ability to Rise . Once ready to bake , the Cake Batter can either be Allowed to Warm Up or Baked Straight from the Fridge .

    Why is it called mother-in-law? ›

    The term "mother-in-law" originates from the English language and has been used since the 16th century. It is thought to have been used to refer to the new wife's mother because in traditional societies, the wife would typically leave her own family and become part of her husband's family upon marriage.

    Where did the name mother-in-law come from? ›

    Where does the word mother-in-law come from? The earliest known use of the word mother-in-law is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for mother-in-law is from before 1382, in Bible (Wycliffite, early version). mother-in-law is formed within English, by compounding.

    Why are wife cakes called wife cakes? ›

    Another story tells of a dim sum chef's wife creating a pastry with wintermelon paste influenced by a recipe from her mother's family. The new pastry was found to taste better than the dim sums that were being sold in teahouses, and the chef proudly told everyone it was made by his wife, hence it was named "Wife Cake".

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