Simple Italian 12-Tablespoon Cake
Prep time: 10 minutes | Bake time: 30–35 minutes | Yield: 1 20cm cake
Ingredients
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3 large eggs (room temperature)
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12 tablespoons of granulated sugar
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12 tablespoons of sunflower or vegetable oil
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12 tablespoons of milk
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12 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (level, not heaping)
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Zest and juice of half a lemon
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11g baking powder (approx. 2.5 teaspoons)
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Pinch of salt (to enhance flavor)
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Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
1. Preparation
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Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
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Grease a 20cm cake pan with butter and lightly flour it, or line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Cream the Eggs and Sugar
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the 3 eggs and the 12 tablespoons of sugar.
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Using an electric hand mixer, beat on high speed for about 5 minutes. The mixture should become very pale, thick, and almost double in volume. This aeration is what makes the cake fluffy without many ingredients.
3. Add the Liquids
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Lower the mixer speed and add the 12 tablespoons of oil and the 12 tablespoons of milk.
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Add the lemon zest and juice. Mix briefly until just combined.
4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients
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Sift the 12 tablespoons of flour and 11g of baking powder into the bowl. Add a tiny pinch of salt.
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Using a spatula or a whisk at low speed, gently fold the flour into the wet mixture until no lumps remain. Do not over-mix, or the cake will become tough.
5. Bake
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Pour the batter into the prepared 20cm pan.
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Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. To check if it is done, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few dry crumbs.
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The top should be a beautiful golden brown, as seen in your provided images.
6. Cooling and Serving
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Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Once cool, dust the top generously with powdered sugar.
Pro-Tips for Success
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Standardize your Spoon: Use the same tablespoon for the sugar, oil, milk, and flour to keep the proportions consistent.
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Room Temperature: Make sure your eggs and milk are at room temperature so the batter emulsifies perfectly.
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Variations: You can easily swap the lemon for orange zest, or add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter before baking.