Butter-free Ciambellone

Ciambellone is a classic Italian cake, often appreciated for its simplicity and versatility. Here’s a recipe for a butter-free Ciambellone that is light and delicious.

Ingredients

• 300g of all-purpose flour
• 250g of granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 100ml of sunflower or corn oil
• 100ml of milk (or plant-based drink for a lactose-free version)
• 1 packet of baking powder
• Grated zest of 1 lemon (or orange for a variation)
• A pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and prepare a bundt pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until they are frothy and light in color.
3. Add the grated lemon zest and a pinch of salt to the whisked eggs, mixing gently.
4. Alternately incorporate the oil and milk into the mixture, mixing well after each addition.
5. Sift the flour with the baking powder and add it to the mixture little by little, mixing from the bottom up so as not to deflate the mixture.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center of the Ciambellone comes out clean.
7. Let the Ciambellone cool for a few minutes in the pan, then unmold it and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

The butter-free Ciambellone is ideal for a light breakfast or as a snack, perhaps accompanied by fresh juice or tea. You can customize it by adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or simply a dusting of powdered sugar to serve it.

Fun Fact

Ciambellone is often considered a “grandmother’s cake” because it evokes the genuine flavors and traditional recipes that are handed down from generation to generation. Every family in Italy has their own version of Ciambellone, with small variations in the recipe that make each Ciambellone unique.