Nua Cake
- Vegetarian
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 30 min
- Cook time: 1 h 5 min
- Serving: 8
- Cost: Average
PRESENTATION
If you're craving something sweet, and I mean really sweet, Torta Nua is an awesome treat from Campania. Seriously, you've got to try it. This Italian custard cake—famous for being so so moist and tender—owes its unique texture to a special method of prep.
Unlike your typical cakes, this one folds in classic crema pasticcera—either vanilla or chocolate—right into the batter. And look, this technique creates two smooth creamy centers, making every bite super satisfying. It's kinda like Torta della nonna, but with a twist. Honestly, this Torta Nua recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a birthday, Sunday lunch, or just a casual hangout.
And listen, it's a simple yet elegant cake that's pretty easy to whip up, even if you’re no baking pro. I mean, the best part? Slicing into it to find those golden cream pockets nestled within the soft crumb. No need for fancy decorations or rare ingredients—just pure flavor that everyone will love.
Let the cake cool properly, and boom, the creamy layers set just right. Even if you're new to Italian baking, this cake is a fantastic intro to the magic of traditional Italian desserts. It's rich but never too heavy, with a moist bite that's way way better than expected. Feels like one of those cozy homemade treats you'd find in a small-town Campania bakery, where custard-filled cakes are an art.
Whether you're pairing it with coffee or serving it up as dessert after a big meal, Torta Nua is a crowd-pleaser for sure. Kids, adults, everyone will adore it. Try it out and enjoy a taste of Italy right at home. Really, you won't regret it!
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INGREDIENTS
- For a 9-inch diameter pan
- Eggs 8.5 oz (240 g) - (about 5 medium)
- Type 00 flour 2 ½ cups (300 g)
- Baking powder 2 ½ tsp (10 g)
- Fine salt 1 pinch
- Sugar 0.4 cup (80 g)
- Vanilla bean 1
- Vegetable oil 9 tbsp (130 g)
- Whole milk ⅓ cup (80 g)
- for the custard
- Whole milk 1 ¼ cup (300 g)
- Egg yolks 3 - medium
- Sugar 1 cup (200 g)
- Rice starch 4 tbsp (30 g)
- for the chocolate custard
- Dark chocolate 1.75 oz (50 g)
How to prepare Nua Cake
To prepare the Nua cake, start with the batter: use an electric whisk to mix the eggs with the sugar, then add a pinch of salt and the seeds from the vanilla pod 1 2 (keep the pod aside as it will be used for the custard). The mixture should be frothy. Only then, slowly pour in the vegetable oil 3 and continue whisking.
Gradually sift in the flour mixed with the baking powder 4. Finally, slowly pour in the milk 5 and continue to mix the batter until combined. Pour everything into a 9-inch diameter cake pan lined with parchment paper 6.
Move on to the custard: heat the milk in a saucepan, infusing it with the vanilla pod without the seeds 7. In a separate pot, mix the egg yolks with the sugar while cold 8, then add the rice starch 9 and mix again until you have a smooth and homogeneous mixture.
When the milk is almost boiling, you can add it to the egg yolk mixture a little at a time 10, stirring. Once all the milk has been added, you can turn on the low heat and cook the custard, stirring continuously 11 until fully cooked and at the right thickness 12.
Divide the custard into two parts and add 50g of chopped dark chocolate to one of them 13. Stir with the whisk to fully dissolve 14. Gently place the chocolate custard onto the cake batter first, using two spoons 15, spacing the dollops well apart.
Then add the classic custard in smaller dollops 16. This step will help prevent the custard from sinking during baking. Now bake on the lower rack of a preheated static oven at 340°F for 65 minutes. After the baking time, perform the toothpick test. Remove from the oven and let cool 17. Serve your Nua cake 18, if you prefer, with a dusting of powdered sugar!