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Ciambella Italian Lemon Sponge Cake

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Ciambella Italian Lemon Sponge Cake is a traditional Italian ring shaped cake. It’s so incredibly light with an airy fluffy crumb and infused with both the juice and zest of lemons. It makes for one very simple yet elegant dessert recipe.

Ciambella Italian Lemon Sponge Cake.

Italians are notoriously known for their dolci, or rather sweet treats. Especially those yummy morsels that we leisurely love to dip in a steaming cup of coffee, tea or even milk.

It’s customary for us to break our morning fast with a biscotto, cornetto (little horn) which is not unlike a French croissant or even a brioche.

After all, aren’t mornings made for this?.

And, have I mentioned how much we love our sweets?

What is a Ciambella?

Ciambella is essentially referred to any round ring shaped cake, doughnut or even tiny ring cookies such as these lemon glazed Ciambelle Cookies. And also these rope shaped Ciambelline al Vino Italian Wine Cookies.

But some would also call this type of Italian cake, a Ciambellone which references its larger shape.

In terms of simplicity, it probably doesn’t get much easier than this to make.

It’s all with ingredients you most likely already have on hand and you can whip up at a moments notice.

Shall we get started!

How To Make A Traditional Italian Lemon Cake

Step One: In a small bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder and then set this aside.

Step Two: In a separate large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the eggs and sugar on medium high speed for about 2 minutes. The egg and sugar mixture should be pale yellow in colour.

Step Three: Mix in the oil, water, vanilla, lemon zest and juice to the egg mixture.

Step Four: Mix in the flour mixture to the egg mixture and beat till smooth. Make sure to stop and scrape down the bowl if using a stand mixer.

Step Five: Pour the cake batter into a greased bundt pan.

Step Six: Bake the Italian lemon cake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F., for about 45 minutes.

When ready the top of the cake will have a golden brown colour and will feel firm to the touch.

You can also check for doneness by inserting a wooden skewer on top of the ciambella cake. If it comes out dry then the cake is ready!

Freshly baked Italian lemon cake, turned out on a marble and wooden board.

Allow the cake to cool in the bundt pan for about 10 minutes. Take a butter knife or offset spatula and run it around the inside edges of the pan to loosen the cake.

Do take care not to scratch the non stick finish of your bundt pan. You don’t want to ruin a beautiful decorative bundt pan!

An Italian lemon cake baked in a bundt pan and dusted with powdered sugar on a wooden board.

When you’re ready to serve this simple lemon cake, all it needs is a dusting of powdered or confectioner’s sugar.

You can enjoy this Italian breakfast cake accompanied with your morning cup of coffee or tea. Or simply a cold glass of milk if you so wish!

This Italian cake would also be great as an anytime dessert when you’re craving an easy to make lemon sponge cake.

A lemon ciambella cake on a wooden and marble cutting board with three slices cut out.

How to prepare a bundt pan for a Ciambella Italian Lemon Sponge Cake

Decorative cake pans can elevate a simple sponge cake to one of pretty elegance that would grace any table quite beautifully.

However, with all their intricate patterns and nooks and crevices, it can be quite a chore to release the cake with its pretty shape all intact.

I love, love decorative Bundt pans but although they have a non stick finish I always grease them.

One product I always use is Cake Release from Wilton. This is not a sponsored post and I’m not compensated in any way.

It has the consistency of softened butter and a little goes a long way.

  • I use a pastry brush so that all the sides and crevices are properly coated. You’ll want to brush the centre cone as well.
  • Hold up the pan near a light source just to make sure you don’t miss a spot. Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way.
  • With the Cake Release product I don’t need to flour my pan.
  • If your choice of coating is melted butter, then consider using a pastry brush just the same for even distribution and then lightly dust with flour.
  • Make sure to tap any excess flour out over your kitchen sink. You don’t want any sticky flour residue over your cake.

Having said that, if you have another foolproof method that works for you, then use that and maybe share it in the comments below.

I’d love to hear from you!

Happy Baking!

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Other Italian cake recipes you’ll love:

This recipe was originally published Sept. 13 2019 and republished March 27 2021 with new photos and content.

An Italian lemon cake baked in a bundt pan and dusted with powdered sugar on a wooden board.
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4.32 from 16 votes

Ciambella, Italian Lemon Sponge Cake

A Ciambella is an Italian cake that is baked in a round cake tin. It's a typical Italian lemon breakfast cake that's light and spongy and so incredibly easy to make.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Ciambella, Italian Lemon Sponge Cake
Servings 12
Calories 376kcal
Author Marisa

Equipment

  • Bundt Pan

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • powdered sugar (for dusting over the cake)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a bundt pan and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl beat together the eggs with the sugar on medium high for about 2 minutes or until creamy and pale in colour.
  • Add in the oil, water, vanilla, lemon zest and juice and mix till combined.
  • Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and beat until smooth and the batter falls into a ribbon like flow when the beaters are lifted.
  • Make sure to scrape down the bowl if using a stand mixer.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan.
  • Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown in colour and firm to the touch.
  • Alternately, you can insert a toothpick to check for doneness.
  • If the wooden toothpick inserted inside comes out clean, you'll know the cake is done.
  • Let the cake cool in the bundt pan for about 10 minutes.
  • Loosen the edges with an offset spatula or butter knife. Take care not to scratch the non stick finish of your bundt pan.
  • Gently invert onto a wire rack to release the cake and allow to cool completely.
  • When ready to serve dust with confectioners sugar, slice and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @marisasitaliankitchen or tag #marisasitaliankitchen!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. blankLeanne says

    This is a gorgeous cake Marisa! And it’s not just the decorative bundt pan. The dusting of sugar is lovely and those cut slices show such a delicious and tender texture. I’d be all over this for a mid-morning snack with a cup of coffee!

    Reply

  4. blankColleen says

    I love everything lemon and I also love the simplicity of this gorgeous cake. It would be perfect for company or taking along to dinner party. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply

  6. blankFran says

    Hi Marisa,
    You have many comments on how lovely the cake looks and I agree. Has anyone actually made it?
    I have baked many sponge cakes and your recipe was interesting and I wanted to try it. Just a question, I noticed you add the oil and other wet ingredients after you’ve added flour. Most cakes add the flour nix at the end. Although the cake is good but a bit dense. Don’t think I can take it to a dinner party. I was hoping it was spongier cake.

    Reply

    • blankMarisa says

      My apologies for late reply Fran sometimes comments end up in spam folder. Anyhow sorry to hear it didn’t turn out for you. If over baked then yes it can come out drier. Having said that I’ll need to try your way to see if there is a difference in texture. I’ll update if there is any significant difference!

      Reply

  8. blankBriana says

    I have made this cake several times and all of a sudden I am having major issues. The first few times or was perfect. I even adapted it to make tiny orange cupcakes siena bridal shower (they were adorable.) However the last two time I’ve made it it’s turned out dense and has dropped after I take it out of the oven. Do you have any suggestion?. I can’t figure out if my baking time is off or if I’m doing something wrong with the batter.

    Reply

    • blankMarisa says

      Hi Briana, It’s hard to say since I wasn’t there to see. One time I did over bake it but I’ve never had it drop or baked too dense. Wish I could be more help. I’ll revisit it for sure!

      Reply

  11. blankBernice Hill says

    5 stars
    I’ve been know to enjoy a sweet or two for breakfast as well…and I wouldn’t think twice about devouring a slice of this bright lemon cake first thing in the morning with tea.

    Reply

  12. blankAmyG says

    5 stars
    Hi Marisa, I made this cake on the weekend and it was absolutely delicious. I loved the density of the cake and the lemon flavor and scent was a natural addition. Absolutely perfect. A definite 5 stars!

    Reply

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