This typical Mantuan cake is from the noble - rather than peasant - tradition, having been created for Isabella d'Este, who married into the Gonzaga family.
Ingredients for 6 portions
250g sugar
1 lemon
250g butter
1 packet yeast
125g potato flour
vanilla-flavoured icing sugar, as a dressing
75g sweet almonds
120g fine white flour
8 eggs
Method
After thoroughly whipping the softened butter, add the sugar and grated lemon rind.
In a bowl, beat 4 eggs and 4 yolks and then slowly add the mix of flour, potato flour and yeast. Delicacy is essential when mixing everything together. Butter and flour a baking tin and pour the mixture into it. Bake for 50 minutes at 180°C. Before serving, sprinkle with the vanilla-flavoured icing sugar.
Characteristics of the cake
This round cake is about 38cm in diameter and can weigh up to 2kg.