Italian Orange Diplomat Cake / Torta Diplomatica
Now this is a cake! An Italian Orange Diplomat Cake or also known as Torta Diplomatica. Two layers of puff pastry, a layer of sponge cake filled with a creamy orange Italian Pastry Cream.
When I first arrived in Italy this was the Birthday Cake of Choice. I was never one for liquor in my desserts (and I am still not, unless of course you are talking about Baileys)!
So I never really appreciated a Diplomat Cake or Torta Diplomatica. This traditional Italian Cake was soaked or so it seemed in a rum syrup.
Needless to say I never wanted to seem rude so I would take my slice and slip it to the Italian, who of course would announce through mouthfuls just how amazing this cake was.
Fast forward 25 years, I still don’t like liquor drenched desserts, but I’m still loving Baileys.
Although I always thought the combination of the puff pastry, sponge cake and the layers of Italian Cream sounded delicious.
So I thought why not change it up a bit?
And that is exactly what I did. I removed the rum, and added orange flavouring (orange juice but if you like, an orange liqueur would work too).
I made it into a round cake rather than the traditional square or rectangle.
This cake may seem very complicated or difficult but it really isn’t. I found making it in the following order really helped.
- First make the Sponge Cake.
- While the cake is baking make the Pastry Cream.
- Prepare your Puff Pastry for baking.
- Make the Orange Syrup (while everything is cooling or baking).
- Whip the cream and fold into the chilled Pastry Cream.
- Then put it together.
This Italian Cake is not one of those quick and easy. It actually isn’t difficult but time and patience is needed. So start early in the day and by dinner time you will have a wonderful new Dessert Recipe.
I also made enough cream to not only fill the cake, but also frost the outside. And a sprinkle of chopped almonds finished it off perfectly.
This is a three layer cake but the layers are all quite thin, so nothing is over powering the other. You basically have crunchy, soft, creamy and sweet (but not too sweet) all in one cake.
And like most cream cakes this will last up to three days refrigerated.
Where did the Diplomat Cake Originate
It is believed that the chef of the Diplomat, Duke of Parma created this cake in the 15th Century to give as a gift to the Duke Francesco Sforza of Milan.
More Delicious Italian Desserts with Pastry Cream
- Sporcamuss Italian Cream Filled Pastries
- Homemade Italian Apple Crostata
- Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
- Pasticiotti – Cream Filled Italian Pastries
This is one of those deceiving cakes, it tastes so light and not at all heavy, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean it is calorie free! But have a slice anyway. Enjoy!
What to make with Left over Cake
- Make some Cake Pops.
- How about a Trifle?
- Make a delicious Parfait.
Italian Orange Diplomat Cake / Torta Diplomatica
Ingredients
FOR THE SPONGE CAKE
- 5 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 1/2 cups flour
FOR THE PASTRY CREAM FILLING
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3/4 cup cream (whole or whipping cream)
- peel one orange (try not to get the white part)
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
PUFF PASTRY
- 2 rolls puff pastry
- 1/4 cup powdered / icing sugar (more or less)
ORANGE SYRUP
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (or Grand Marnier)
WHIPPED CREAM
- 1 cup cream (whole or whipping cream)
- 1/4 cup powdered / icing sugar (sifted)
TOPPING
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup chopped almonds
Instructions
- Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350°. Grease a 9 inch (24 cm) springform cake pan.
ITALIAN SPONGE CAKE
- Start by making the sponge cake. Beat on medium-low speed the eggs and sugar until well mixed (2 minutes) add flour and baking powder and continue to beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until tested done. Let cool completely. Once the cake is cool slice off the top and bottom of the cake leaving the centre layer (approximately 1/2 inch / 1 1/4 cm thick).
PASTRY CREAM
- While the cake is baking make the Pastry Cream Filling. In a medium pot, add the milk, cream and orange peel and heat to very hot over medium heat, do not boil. Remove from heat and let cool to warm. Remove the peel and discard. In a medium pot add yolks and sugar, whisk together until combined, then add the vanilla and flour and combine. Place the pot over medium / low heat, add warm milk/cream, whisking continuously until almost thickened then add the orange juice and continue until thick. Remove to a glass bowl, cover with plastic wrap (make sure wrap touches the cream mixture) and refrigerate at least 1.5 hours.
PUFF PASTRY
- While the cake is cooling and the Pastry Cream is chilling. Prepare the puff pastry. Roll out the pastry and gently roll a couple of times with a rolling-pin. Cut the puff pastry a little larger than the 9 inch cake pan. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, prick the dough with a fork (see photo). Sprinkle with powdered / icing sugar and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until golden. Let cool completely.
ORANGE SYRUP
- In a medium pot on medium heat, add the water, sugar and juice, heat until boiling then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Remove to a small bowl and let cool completely.
WHIPPED CREAM
- In a large bowl add the cream and beat until soft peaks appear than add the sifted powdered / icing sugar and beat until stiff. Fold into the chilled Pastry Cream.
PUTTING THE CAKE TOGETHER
- On a flat plate place one teaspoon of pastry cream then place 1 puff pastry round on top (this keeps the cake from slipping), top with 1/4 of the cream filling, place the sponge cake layer on top and top with almost all of the orange syrup, then top with 1/4 of the cream filling, place the remaining puff pastry layer on top (at this point I found it best to refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes). Then finish frosting the cake and sides with the remaining cream filling. Sprinkle with ground almonds. Refrigerate cake for at least one hour before serving. Enjoy!
I’ve now made this cake 3 times the cake is always dense. Is it supposed to be more on the dense side? I’ve checked the cakes internal temp the last two times to make sure it’s not over baked. Since I’ve never had this cake I’m unsure of consistency.
Hi Nancy, yes it is supposed to be dense, Italian cakes are dense. Hope that helps. Take care!
What about adding some caramelised almond between the layers ??
Hi Anoush, you could that might be really good. Let me know if you try it.
Hi Rosemary, this recipe sounds amazing, can’t wait to make it. If I wanted to go the more traditional route with the rum syrup soaked version, could you advise on specific instructions for that part please?
Hi Julian, here are the instructions for the rum syrup, let me know how it goes. In a medium pot on medium heat, add the water, and sugar, heat until boiling then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Remove to a small bowl and let cool completely then add 2 tablespoons of rum and combine.
Hi Rosemary, Thanks for your great recipes. Could you please help with a different recipe for the Torta Diplomatica. In South Africa there was a super Italian baker at Eldorado Bakery who used to make these delicious cakes which we ordered for special occasions like weddings, christenings etc. He had a very soft sponge cake with 2 layers of pastry cream and 2 layers of coffee and liqueur cream which soaked in; very delicious. I have hunted for this recipe for years to no avail. Thank you Molly
Hi Molly, sorry for taking so long to answer but I have actually been asking about this coffee cream liqueur and how to make it. I will be posting the recipe (it is absolutely delicious) either today or tomorrow. So you could use an Italian sponge cake (https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/tiramisu-layer-cake/) use the coffee liqueur for soaking it and the pastry cream for the filling from the Diplomat cake with the, you may want to substitute vanilla with the orange. I may have to try it myself it sounds so good. If you make it let me know how it turns out.
It is wonderful how you manage to bring me my childhood memories back; my grandmother used to make Torta Diplomatica and , frankly, I have no idea where to look for it. Luckily here we are 🙂 Grazie milla !
Thanks so much, I love bringing back memories. Hope you enjoy it.
Oh my gosh . I love your recipes. I lived in Vicenza Italy in the early 70s while my husband was in the military. We loved Italy and the wonderful food. I am so glad I found your web site. Love, love your recipes. I’ve only tried a few and they were wonderful.
Thanks again
Pat
Hi Patricia, thanks so much. So glad you like the recipes. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Love your recipes. Haven’t made them yet, but the directions are simple to follow. Now that cool weather is upon us, I hope to have a baking good time! I know my friends and church members will be happy I fou d this site. Thanks!
Hi Tina, thanks so much. Let me know what you try and how it goes. Have a great weekend.