This Italian Citrus Ring Cake recipe, aka Ciambella, is a ring shaped sponge cake. This Italian breakfast cake is great with lots of fruit or to dunk in your morning coffee. Simple. Classic. Italian.
During my teenage years, I distinctly remember a simple Italian cake my Mom used to make every Sunday morning. She called it the 8 ounce cake, and when I will share the list of ingredients, you will understand why. It is my pleasure to share with you my mom’s recipe for a Traditional Italian Citrus Ring Cake aka Ciambella.
Having fruit for dessert was normal in my childhood. (And as a dietitian and a mom, I tried to make it the norm in my kids’ childhood, too!) But when I reached my teenage years, my Mom began supplementing the fruit with all kinds of wonderful baked goods -especially simple Italian cakes. I guess she had more time to experiment in the kitchen as her kids got older, something I can definitely relate to.
This homemade lemon cake from scratch was one of the stars of the baked goods show, especially on Sundays (aka family day). Ciambella was certainly a family favorite, and the fact that it only needs about 10 minutes of prep time definitely helped its claim to fame in my parents’ house!
Ciambella is a type of Italian cake, but the specific form it takes varies wildly by region. It can be a bundt cake, an angel food cake, or a donut; it can be baked, fried or even boiled in water (and then baked); its signature ingredient can be potatoes, aniseed, cinnamon, rose water, etc., etc., etc. The thing that all of these cakes have in common is that they are all ring-shaped. (In spite of this, I did find a loaf version of the recipe!)
This moist lemon cake recipe that I’m sharing with you today might be called an Italian version of the bundt cake. You’ll notice that the ingredients in this particular recipe are very rustic, and you would most likely have them all on hand on any given day. That, in my opinion, makes this the perfect no-fuss Italian breakfast cake… perfect for dunking in your coffee!
You’ll also notice that eggs are a key ingredient in this recipe, as they are in almost all Italian cake recipes. Food chemistry time: did you know that, in a cake, eggs serve to bind all the other ingredients together? On the topic of eggs… Decades later, when I had kids of my own, my Mom stopped making this easy lemon cake recipe in favor of an Orange Chiffon Cake that required a whopping 6 eggs!
Lemon Cake recipes we love:
ORIGINS OF THE RECIPE FOR A ITALIAN CITRUS RING CAKE:
As with a lot of the recipes my Mom used to make, I can only assume that it was a recipe made by her Mom. After all, that is how traditions start… and I’m very pleased to keep this tradition going. Some other traditional Italian recipes that I still make to this day include Cavatelli and this recipe for Pasta and Lentils.
Recently, I made this Italian cake at a family gathering, and everyone was just in awe over how much it tasted like Mom’s! What a sweet compliment from my supportive family…
…especially because I actually didn’t use her exact recipe 🙂 For the record, my Mom’s recipe required 1 cup each of sugar, oil, and milk (hence the “8 ounce cake” nickname). I reduced the amounts of oil and sugar (and milk) to 3/4 cup… I guess I’ll have to start calling this the “6 ounce Italian cake” instead.
I like to serve this recipe for Traditional Italian Citrus Ring Cake with a simple dusting of confectioner’s sugar and lots of fresh fruit. Sometimes, I’ll serve it with this recipe for Macerated Strawberries. You can also drizzle it with a lemon or orange glaze, to really compliment the flavors within.
Have this Italian cake aka Ciambella with breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea… it’s great as a snack or dessert!
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this Italian Lemon Cake recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Traditional Italian Citrus Ring Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup lemon or orange juice freshly squeezed
- 1 sachet vanillin paneangeli*
- Zest of 2 lemons or zest of whole orange
- icing sugar for dusting cake
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175°C) .
- Grease and flour (or use non-stick spray) a 10-inch bundt pan.
- In a medium bowl,sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl (of stand mixer) beat the eggs on high speed for about 3 minutes (eggs will become thick).
- Gradually add the sugar and continue beating for another 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce speed and add oil, milk and juice.
- Add dry ingredients, vanillin (or vanilla extract) and zest and beat only until combined.
- Bake in a 350℉ (175°C) oven for approximately 35 minutes or until cake tester comes out dry.
- Cool completely on wire rack.
- Dust with icing sugar before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Deb Susi says
I made it this afternoon, to see if I might take this to an Italian-themed gourmet party next week. Fabulous! So glad I found you on the internet. BTW, the Italian grandpa in our family always refers to his granddaughters as Ciambellas. Perfect name for a wonderful recipe. Thank you.
Maria says
That is soo cute ♥ I am also glad you found the website Deb… welcome 🙂 This family recipe is always appreciated whenever I make it. I’m thrilled to hear that you liked it. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, appreciate it 🙂 Have fun at the party!
Mel says
Hi I ’m wondering if it would be possible to substitute self raising flour for plain flour and baking powder or if adjustments would need to be made. Thanks.
Maria says
Great question Mel! Usually 1 cup of self raising flour provides 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. The recipe requires 2 cups of flour which would provide 3 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of salt… which is more than what is required in the recipe. The risk is that the flavor might be a little off. So I would say adjustments would be difficult to make without affecting the overall quality of the baked product.
Mel says
Hey can I use caster sugar instead of granulated sugar. Is it same measurements
Maria says
Yes, you can substitute and yes same measurements. Enjoy 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
Mel says
Thank you, I can’t wait.
Licia S says
All my italian friends talking about and making ciambella cake. ……….so I went on safari ………….had a look at various recipes and tried the one on
“She loves biscotti” …………..it has just come out of the oven and it looks delicious, I was so happy I clapped my hands.
Tomorrow as we celebrate Mother’s Day we will try it.
Thank you to whoever……tante tante grazie. X
Maria says
Prego Licia. My mom’s version is very light and goes well with fresh fruit. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Happy Mother’s Day ♥♥♥
Veronica says
I made this recipe this weekend and it was a hit with the family. Everyone loved it. Very easy to make. It has just the right amount of citrus. Will definitely make this one again.
Maria says
So glad to hear you and your family enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
Aish says
Wow!! Love this cake. Saving it.
Maria says
Thank you Aish. Enjoy 🙂
Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy says
This cake reminds me of my childhood as well. My Mom used to make a pound cake almost every week. Reading the recipe, it sounds just lulls my Mom’s cake. Will definitely give it a try soon. Thanks for the recipe!
Maria says
Oldies but goodies 🙂 Thanks for dropping by, appreciate it!
Sarah says
I haven’t had a slice of Ring Cake {I grew up calling it a Bundt Cake} in years! That needs to change and I need to try this recipe ASAP!!
Maria says
Hope you like it Sarah! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Ashley says
I’m wondering if it would be possible to sub olive oil for vegetable oil or if adjustments would need to be made?
Maria says
Hi Ashley, yes, you can absolutely replace with olive oil, no adjustments required. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Suchi @elegantmeraki says
Wow this is so beautiful! I love simple cakes with coffee and anything with citrus is just perfect. Gonna try this soon.
Maria says
Great Suchi! Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for tasking the time to comment 🙂
Sarah says
I LOVE lemon cake. This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it.
Maria says
Thanks Sarah! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Such a beautiful cake! What lovely flavors 😀
Maria says
Thanks Rebecca 🙂
Fran says
I just tried your citrus sponge last evening. Was very easy to make and I think it looks like the one in your picture too! A very spongy cake. Good for dipping in your coffee if you’re into that. Was easy to put together if you’re having people over for coffee. Thanks for the easy recipe.
Maria says
Hi Fran! Glad it turned out for you. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment …appreciate it 🙂
Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina says
I grew up with simple Italian cakes just like this, always with just a dusting of powdered sugar or a slight slight drizzle of a light icing, and always with fresh fruit. Fruit was my family’s dessert of choice in our Italian family, which non-Italian families in my hometown couldn’t understand. We never had heavily iced cakes (but I certainly love making them now!). Great recipe, Maria!
Maria says
Roz, I totally get what you are saying! I cannot resist a good piece of iced carrot cake 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
fran says
Can any cake be more easy. Sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to try it.
Maria says
Hi Fran, truly the ultimate no-fuss cake… Enjoy! Appreciate you dropping by 🙂
Jolina - The Unlikely Baker says
I love everything sponge cakes! Especially citrusy ones like this one 🙂 And recipes passed down from generation to generation are sure to be hit. Thanks for sharing! Cannot wait to try this.
Maria says
Thanks Jolina 🙂
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
Using Vanillin takes me back to my childhood. That’s all we used to have back home. Real vanilla extract was unavailable. No-one actually even knew that it existed. My mom uses this Vanillin even here although I can almost always taste the difference.
Maria says
My mom loved Vanillin! I have to say I only use it when I make this recipe and I agree with you… you can taste the difference. Appreciate the comment 🙂
janet @ the taste space says
I have heard of a pound cake before and I suppose this is a variation on that? It is amusing how it was 8 ounces though, instead of half a pound. Or 6 ounces in your case. 😉
Maria says
Eliminates the need for recipes… equal parts of everything…lol 🙂 Appreciate the comment. Thanks for dropping by.
Sonia and mom says
Not only it looks delicious it was heee??
Maria says
Thanks Sonia and mom 🙂 🙂 🙂
Jovina Coughlin says
Looks delicious
Maria says
Thank-you Jovina 🙂