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Desserts

Mimosa cake

⏱ 180 min🍳 35 min👤 8 pp★★★★★

The Mimosa cake is a sweet and elegant confection usually prepared on International Women's Day, 8th March. It is a simple sponge cake stuffed with whipped cream and decorated with sponge crumbs from the same cake to obtain a ‘mimosa flower’ effect. Modern versions of this dessert, like ours, require the addition of fruit to taste, especially pineapple. We like pineapple because it gives a lightness and freshness to an otherwise slightly plain cake. To prepare the Mimosa cake you need a little patience and some expertise in cutting and trimming. So, find yourself couple of hours of peace and quiet and settle down to some cake-making. The result will be highly satisfying!

Ingredients

Impasto

Farcitura

Nutritional values 420 kcal / serving
Protein
7g
Carbohydrates
58g
Fat
16g
Fiber
1g

* approximate values per serving

Information
180 minutes Total time
35 minutes Active time
Serves 8 persons
★★★★★ Very hard

Preparation

Prepare a 28 cm cake tin, mix the ingredients and bake at 180°C for 30 minutes. Let it cool. Meanwhile, prepare a custard: whisk the egg yolks with the sugar, add the flour and cornflour, the finely grated lemon zest, and whisk in the warm milk, then return it to the heat until just before boiling point. Remove from the heat and let the custard cool. Whip the cream until stiff. Cut the pineapple into cubes and get the icing sugar ready. Take the now cooled sponge cake, cut off the top surface, and then cut it again in two horizontally. Trim the edges. Take one of the two larger cake halves and break it into crumbs and set aside. Take the second of the two big cake slices and soak it with the pineapple juice. Mix the custard with the whipped cream so as to obtain a ‘Chantilly’. Spread some of this cream mixture onto the cake, add the pieces of pineapple, and then spoon over some more of the Chantilly. Cover with the smaller slice of cake. Take a knife and trimmed the edges of the cake so they are very neat. Spread the entire cake, including the edges, with the remaining whipped cream mixture. Then put all the set aside crumbs over the top and side of the cake. Decorate with icing sugar and a few mimosa flowers.

Tips
If children are not going to eat your cake, you can further add ‘maraschino’ (sweet cherry liqueur) to the pineapple juice. This will give further character and flavour to your Mimosa cake.
Trivia
The Mimosa flower is a symbol of International Women's Day on 8th March because this plant usually blooms during the first days of March.

Step by step

Mimosa cake
Mimosa cake
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

Mimosa Cake with Fresh Pineapple

The Mimosa Cake with Fresh Pineapple is a rich and tasty variant of the traditional mimosa cake. In this preparation, the pineapple adds an exotic and refreshing note, perfect for balancing the sweetness of the pastry cream and the lightness of the sponge cake. To make this version, simply follow the classic mimosa cake recipe, but when assembling the dessert, you can add diced fresh pineapple between the various layers. The pineapple not only enriches the flavor but also makes the cake more moist and fragrant. This preparation is ideal for celebrating birthdays or special occasions, where a colorful and flavorful dessert can make a difference. Don't forget to garnish the surface of the cake with crumbs of sponge cake to create the mimosa effect and make the dessert even more appealing.

Mimosa Cake with Traditional Pastry Cream

The Mimosa Cake with Traditional Pastry Cream is a great classic of Italian pastry, particularly appreciated during the celebrations of International Women's Day. In this preparation, the sponge cake is filled with a thick and velvety pastry cream, made with egg yolks, sugar, milk, and flavored with grated lemon zest. This variant preserves the authentic flavors of the original recipe, offering a sweet experience that recalls family traditions. For an impeccable presentation, it is recommended to decorate the cake with powdered sugar and crumbs of sponge cake, reminiscent of mimosa flowers. Every bite of this dessert conveys the delicacy and care typical of homemade preparations, making the cake suitable for any type of celebration.

Light Mimosa Cake without Cream

For those looking for a lighter version of the Mimosa Cake, here is the Light Mimosa Cake without Cream. In this preparation, whipped cream is replaced with a Greek yogurt cream, which offers the same creaminess but with a lower caloric intake. By using fresh and light ingredients, such as natural yogurt and fruit, you can create a delicious and much healthier dessert. Additionally, you can reduce the amount of sugar and use natural sweeteners to make the cake even lighter. This variant is perfect for those who are mindful of their weight but do not want to give up the pleasure of a dessert. The Light Mimosa Cake is ideal for summer snacks or as a dessert after a meal, offering freshness and lightness without compromising on taste.

Benefits of the Mimosa Cake: a Dessert Rich in Nutrients

The Mimosa Cake, despite being a dessert, can offer some nutritional benefits, especially if prepared with fresh and quality ingredients. Pineapple, for example, is rich in vitamin C, which supports the immune system and aids digestion thanks to the presence of bromelain. The pastry cream, made with egg yolks, provides proteins and essential nutrients like vitamin A. A piece of Mimosa Cake can contain about 300-400 calories, depending on the portions and ingredients used. It is important to consume desserts like this in moderation and on special occasions, to enjoy their goodness without overindulging in calories.

Can the Mimosa Cake be Stored in the Fridge?

The Mimosa Cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. It is advisable to cover the cake with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing unpleasant odors present in the fridge. Before serving, it is a good practice to let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, so that the cream and sponge cake return to being soft and pleasant to the palate. If you wish to prepare it in advance for a special occasion, you can also freeze it, but keep in mind that the texture of the cream may change once thawed. Proper storage is essential to maintain the flavors and freshness of the cake.