Heartwarming Italian Butter Cake Recipe: Nonna’s Sweet Gem

Soft, golden, and irresistibly decadent, this warm butter cake recipe captures the essence of authentic Italian desserts with a buttery twist.

Each slice of this heavenly Italian warm butter cake melts in your mouth, promising pure indulgence.

The delicate crumb and rich flavor transport you straight to a charming Italian bakery.

Generations of bakers have perfected this simple yet luxurious treat that celebrates pure comfort.

butter takes center stage, creating a dessert so luscious it feels like a warm embrace.

Creamy, moist, and utterly magical, this cake will become your new favorite sweet obsession.

Grab your apron and get ready to create a dessert that speaks directly to your soul.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 293 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Italian Warm Butter Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for the cake's delicate texture, choose fresh and sifted for smooth consistency.
• Semolina Flour: Adds a unique golden color and slightly grainy texture, look for fine-ground variety for best results.
• Baking Powder: Ensures the cake rises beautifully and maintains a light, airy structure.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.

• Vegetable Oil: Creates a moist and tender crumb, select a neutral-flavored oil for clean taste.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's rich texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers deep, aromatic flavor, opt for pure extract over artificial versions.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter, whole milk works best.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with caramelization, use granulated white sugar.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates a sweet, glossy sauce base.
• Butter: Provides rich, luxurious flavor and silky texture.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create sauce consistency.
• Flavor Extracts: Enhance the sauce's aromatic profile and complexity.

Baking Tools for Italian Warm Butter Cake

• Cupcake Pan: Essential for baking individual warm butter cakes, preferably a non-stick or well-greased pan.
• Medium Mixing Bowls: Two required for separating dry and wet ingredients, ensuring smooth mixing.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients thoroughly and creating a smooth batter without lumps.
• Sifter: Crucial for evenly distributing dry ingredients and removing any flour clumps.
• Saucepan: Needed for preparing the warm butter sauce, allowing sugar and butter to melt together.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements guarantee consistent and delicious results.
• Cooling Rack: Optional, helps cakes cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.

Steps to Make Italian Warm Butter Cake

• Preparation Setup

Gather all baking tools and preheat oven to warm temperature. Select cupcake pan and prepare surface with light butter coating.

• Dry Mixture Foundation

Combine flour varieties and essential powdery ingredients in mixing bowl, ensuring smooth blending without lumps.

• Liquid Component Integration

Whisk together wet ingredients until sugar transforms into silky smooth liquid with consistent texture.

• Batter Creation

Gently fold dry ingredients into liquid mixture, creating soft and delicate cake batter. Pour carefully into prepared pan sections.

• Baking Process

Place pan in heated oven and monitor cake development. Watch for golden edges and springy center indicating perfect doneness.

• Butter Sauce Magic

While cakes rest, create luxurious sauce by melting butter with sweet crystals and water. Stir until glossy and smooth.

• Final Touch

Puncture cake surfaces with small holes, generously drizzle warm sauce allowing deep absorption. Serve alongside cold cream or frozen treat for delightful contrast.

Butter Cake Flavor Ideas and Enhancements

• Swap semolina flour with almond flour for a nuttier, lighter crumb that adds rich depth to the traditional recipe.
• Experiment with different extracts like almond, rum, or orange to create unique taste variations that complement the warm butter sauce.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother mixing and more consistent cake texture, preventing potential lumps or uneven baking.
• Top the warm butter cake with toasted pistachios, caramel drizzle, or fresh berries to transform a simple dessert into a gourmet experience.
• Store leftover cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, reheating briefly to restore that fresh-from-the-oven moisture and warmth.

Plating Italian Warm Butter Cake

• Drizzle with Sweet Cream: Top each warm butter cake with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for a luxurious dessert experience.
• Garnish with Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers or chopped pistachios over the cake to add a delightful textural contrast and rich nutty flavor.
• Pair with Fruity Companions: Serve alongside fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries, or a quick berry compote to introduce a bright, tangy complement to the rich, buttery cake.
• Create a Caramel Twist: Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the warm cake for an additional layer of decadent sweetness that enhances the butter sauce's rich profile.

Proper Storage for Warm Butter Cake

• Maximize Freshness: Store warm butter cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Refrigerate Wisely: When storing leftovers, wrap individual cakes tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Later: Pack cakes in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, separating layers with parchment paper. Frozen cakes can last up to 1 month when properly sealed.
• Revive and Enjoy: Thaw frozen cakes at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or gently warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore their delightful, soft texture before serving.

Velvety Italian Warm Butter Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Rich layers of Nonna’s warm butter cake invite comfort through generations of Italian culinary tradition. Silky textures and delicate sweetness welcome you to savor each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (113 g / 4 oz) salted butter
• ⅓ cup (80 g / 2.8 oz) water
• 1 tsp (4 g) pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp (2 g) almond extract (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously lubricate cupcake pan with butter and flour, or employ non-stick baking spray.
2. Combine Dry Components: Merge sifted all-purpose flour, semolina flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking to achieve uniform consistency.
3. Blend Wet Ingredients: Vigorously whisk vegetable oil, whole eggs, pure vanilla extract, whole milk, and granulated sugar until smooth and sugar nearly dissolves.
4. Merge Mixtures: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just integrated to preserve tender cake texture. Avoid excessive mixing.
5. Fill and Bake: Distribute batter into prepared pan wells, occupying two-thirds of each cavity. Position in preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean with minimal crumbs.
6. Craft Butter Sauce: While cakes rest, construct warm butter sauce by combining sugar, unsalted butter, and water in a saucepan. Heat over medium flame, stirring until sugar completely dissolves. Incorporate vanilla and almond extracts.
7. Infuse and Finish: Pierce cake surfaces with a fork, creating multiple small holes. Cascade two-thirds of hot butter sauce across cakes. Carefully extract from pan, brushing remaining sauce on bottom and sides for maximum flavor penetration.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Present warm butter cakes immediately, accompanied by whipped cream or premium vanilla ice cream for an exquisite culinary experience.

Notes

• Precise Flour Mixing: Sifting and whisking dry ingredients prevents clumping and ensures a smooth, even cake texture with no unexpected flour pockets.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gentle whisking maintains the cake’s delicate structure, preventing tough or dense results that can ruin the tender crumb.
• Hole-Poking Technique: Creating multiple small holes allows the warm butter sauce to penetrate deeply, maximizing flavor absorption and moisture throughout the cake.
• Immediate Serving Recommendation: Enjoy these cakes while warm to experience the optimal balance of soft texture and rich buttery sauce, with a dollop of cream or ice cream enhancing the indulgence.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 293
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 206mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 37g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 49mg