Paradise sponge cake

The paradise sponge cake - ‘Torta Paradiso’ - is, amongst desserts, the classic of classics. It is a soft sponge cake, ideal to be filled with cream of various kinds – Italian custard, whipped cream, chocolate cream or coffee, etc. etc. – and flavoured with fresh fruit, macaroons, chocolate flakes, lemon icing; the list goes on. In this way you can transform it into the cake you need for any occasion: if you learn to make the ‘Torta paradiso’ you will be sitting pretty gastronomically speaking - your children’s birthdays or the arrival of unexpected guests will no longer be a problem! It does not end there: the ‘Torts Paradiso’ is also very good as it is, without special fillings but simply sprinkled with icing sugar ... you can ice it, or cut it into slices, or even freeze it (yes, you read that right!). You could even have it every morning as a genuine Italian-style breakfast: nutritious and enticing together with your indispensable mug of coffee. So let’s learn to make Paradise sponge cake once and for all, for breakfast, children’s parties, or for those last minute guests ...

Allow the butter to soften for a while, then beat it with the sugar. Add the eggs, egg yolks and then beat again. At this point fold in the sifted flour and cornflour, lemon rind and baking powder. Grease a baking tray or cover it with baking parchment. Spoon the mixture into the tray and bake at 170 °C for 35 minutes. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool. Then sprinkle with plenty of icing sugar. Serve.