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Classic Italian Bundt Cake Recipe / Ciambellone

This Classic Italian Bundt Cake or better known as a Ciambellone is a must bake in every Italian household. A soft and delicious cake that is perfect with a morning cappuccino or afternoon espresso!

bundt cake on a black stand with a slice cut.


 

This was the first cake I tasted when I arrived in Italy. I tried many different types, some made with Orange, some with Cream and some plain. But this cake has always been one of our favourites, especially the Italian. I hope you enjoy it too!

Recipe Ingredients

  • Pastry/Cake Flour – Homemade or store bought
  • Salt
  • Baking Powder
  • Sugar
  • Eggs – Room Temperature
  • Vanilla
  • Vegetable Oil – I usually use sunflower or corn oil
  • Milk – Either 2% or whole milk

How to make it

In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In the mixing bowl beat together the sugar, eggs, egg yolk and vanilla until light and fluffy. Drizzle in the oil while continuing to beat, add the flour mixture and milk, beat on medium speed until completely combined.

The eggs, sugar, vanilla & oil beaten and the flour & milk added.

Transfer the batter to the prepared ban and bake. A bundt pan similar to mine is this Bundt pan.

The batter combined & transferred to the bundt pan.

Let the cake cool in the pan, then remove. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Bundt cake in the bundt pan baked.

What is a bundt cake

A Bundt cake is a cake that is shaped basically like a donut, a cake with a hole in the middle. The shape is inspired by a traditional European cake known as Gugelhupf, but Bundt cakes are not associated with any particular recipe. Pretty well any cake can be made in a bundt pan. If your cake sometimes doesn’t bake on the inside, then try baking it in a bundt pan, this will help it bake up perfect.

What is the difference between a Ciambella and a Ciambellone?

A Ciambella translated to English is a Donut, a yeast dough that is usually fried in hot oil. Whereas a Ciambellone is a donut-shaped cake that is generally a kind of Margherita cake. In Italian direct translation would be Ciambella – Donut and Ciambellone – Big Donut.

Why are some yolks more orange?

The colour of the yolk is determined from what the hen eats, so if the hen eats natural foods and is free roaming then the yolk will be a more orangey colour. Making it also healthier.

Ciambellone on a black cake stand.

How to Make Pastry/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.

Can I add flavouring?

Yes you can you can replace the vanilla with your favourite extract such as almond, lemon etc, or you can add grated zest of an orange, lemon or even lime. Change it up to suit your tastes.

How to store a Bundt 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.

Bundt cake on a black stand with a slice cut.

How to freeze it

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

So if you are looking for an easy delicious Italian cake to serve for Breakfast or Snack then this is the cake for you, a Classic Italian Bundt Cake/Ciabellone. Enjoy!

a slice of cake on a black plate.
Bundt cake on a black stand with a slice cut.

Classic Italian Bundt Cake/Ciambellone

Rosemary Molloy
This Classic Italian Bundt Cake or better known as a Ciambellone is a soft and delicious cake that is perfect with a cappuccino, coffee or tea!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 10 slices
Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • cups flour (pastry / cake flour)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1-2 teaspoons vanilla
  • ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I use sunflower or corn oil) (165 grams total, if you double or triple the recipe double or triple this amount)
  • cup + 1 tablespoon milk (room temperature – I use 2%) (100 grams total, if you double or triple the recipe double or triple this amount)

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Grease and flour a 10 inch (25cm) bundt pan.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  • In the mixing bowl beat (speed #3) together the sugar, eggs, egg yolk and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Drizzle in the oil while continuing to beat (speed #2), add the flour and milk and beat on speed #1 when almost combined raise the speed to #3 and beat approximately 2 minutes until smooth.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared ban and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. Test with a toothpick for doneness. Let cool in the bundt pan before removing from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

For room temperature ingredients remove from the fridge 30-45 minutes before using.
For homemade pastry flour for every cup of all purpose flour remove 2 tablespoons of flour and substitute with cornstarch, sift to combine well and remove any lumps, (you can use all purpose flour although pastry or cake flour makes a cake softer).

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 119IU | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

24 Comments

  1. Even though I added 2 teaspoons of vanilla, I found it needing something in flavoring.
    Also, in order for it to brown on bottom, I left it in the oven for approximately 45 minutes, but it ended up being a little dry.

  2. Hi! I made this cake 5 times and each time the inside of the cake is still raw( not liquid but not fully cooked) , also the top is whiteish- it doesnโ€™t brown.The cake is also very heavy. Would you know what Iโ€™m doing wrong and why this would be happening, TIA

    1. Hi Michelle, it could be your oven temperature is off, if not try covering it with foil the first 20 minutes then uncover for the remaining. Let me know. Take care!

  3. We went to Italy in April. I love to bake and really enjoyed their breakfast tortes and desserts. I am looking forward to trying your recipes. While looking up recipes, I found your website. Italy will always hold a special place in my heart. This will help me remember our time there. Maybe I will learn how to cook some authentic dishes.

  4. 5 stars
    The cake was great but I made the following changes: used Canola Oil, used Almond Silk Milk, & I added Blueberries. Next time I make it will try with cream cheese frosting.

  5. Hi!
    Are the images shown using a regular bundt pan? The shape looks very unusual and interesting. I was wondering what pan in particular was used?

    Thanks,
    Christina

    1. Hi Christina, yes it’s a bundt pan that they sell here in Italy, I did include a similar one in the “How to make” in the post. Hope that helps. Take care.

  6. I haven’t made this cake but in my husband’s Italian family they call chubby babies Ciambellone ๐Ÿ˜‚ I have his aunt’s recipe for it and hers was delicious.

  7. The cake looks delicious, I would like to make it. I only have extra large eggs at the moment, could I use just 3 in making this?

    1. Hi VPS, no need just use the same amount, the only difference would be if you had small eggs. So still 3 eggs and 1 egg yolk. Let me know how it goes.

      1. Hi Victoria, you can use all purpose flour but pastry flour has a lower protein count and it also contains corn starch which makes it softer, although sifting the flour will help to make the cake more tender. Let me know how it goes. Take care!

  8. I just tried this recipe. I loved it but need to tweak it a bit. I found it too dry. I would prefer it to be more moist and a tad lighter. Any suggestions? Only change I made was using 1 tsp vanilla and 1 teaspoon of almond extract.
    It came out looking just like your picture, light golden color.

5 from 10 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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