Italian Lemon Magic Cake is a soft, creamy dessert that melts in your mouth from the first bite. This soft, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth Italian Lemon Cake is what dreams are made of. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch or just want a touch of sunshine in your dessert, this lemon custard-style cake is a timeless European favorite — often referred to as a “magic cake” for its custard-like center and crumbly crust.
This Italian Lemon Magic Cake is perfect for lemon lovers. If you’re a fan of citrusy desserts like this one, then you’ll also love this Lemon Cream Cake recipe on BrandiRecipes — another Italian classic with a fluffy sponge and tangy filling!
Table of Contents
Ingredients
For the Dough:
1 egg
Zest of 1 lemon
125 g (½ cup) sugar
310 g (2½ cups) all-purpose flour
5 g (1 tsp) baking powder
140 g (5 oz) butter, softened
½ tsp salt (optional)
Directions
Prepare the dough: In a bowl, combine the egg, lemon zest, and sugar. Whisk until pale and fluffy.
Add the softened butter and mix until creamy.
Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until the dough is uniform. If needed, knead gently with your hands until smooth.
Take two-thirds of the dough and press it into a greased and parchment-lined springform pan (approx. 8 inches), making sure the sides come up.
Make the filling: (optional step depending on variation). For a richer taste, try adding a soft lemon custard filling made from condensed milk and lemon juice.
Pour the custard or cream mixture over the base.
Crumble or gently flatten the remaining dough and layer it on top.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 45 minutes or until golden on top.
Let it cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with lemon slices if desired.
