"Light, simple and golden, a cake that turns an ordinary day into a celebration."

- Alessandro Caramanico, Catering Manager at Amana Living's Total Catering Solutions.

Torta Margherita Recipe

Ingredients (24 cm cake tin):

4 large eggs (room temperature)

160g caster sugar

160g plain flour

80g unsalted butter (melted and cooled)

50ml whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Zest of 1 lemon

16g baking powder

Pinch of salt

Icing sugar for dusting

Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 170°C fan (180°C conventional). Grease and line a 24 cm cake tin.

Step 2

Whip eggs, sugar, and salt for 8–10 minutes until pale, thick, and tripled in volume.

Step 3

Add vanilla and lemon zest and mix briefly.

Step 4

Sift flour and baking powder together.

Step 5

Fold dry ingredients into egg mixture in three batches using a spatula.

Step 6

Mix melted butter with milk. Blend a small amount of batter into the butter mixture first, then gently fold it into the main batter.

Step 7

Pour into cake tin and bake for 35–40 minutes.

Step 8

Cool for 10 minutes in tin, then transfer to a rack. Dust with icing sugar before serving.

Easter Craft Activity

Create a Simple Crucifix Cake Stencil

How to Make a Crucifix Stencil for Your Cake

A lovely way to finish the Torta Margherita featured above is to decorate it with a meaningful Easter symbol. A homemade stencil made from parchment paper can turn a light and simple sponge into a personalised centrepiece for your table. This activity is easy to complete and suitable for all levels of ability.

Design and Draw

Use a sheet of parchment paper and draw a crucifix in the size you would like to appear on the cake. A ruler is very helpful for creating straight lines and balanced proportions. A simple outline will give the clearest result.

Cut the Shape

Cut along the pencil lines with care. Keep the remaining parchment paper intact. This outer piece will act as your stencil.

Apply the Stencil

Place the stencil gently on top of a chilled sponge cake. A firm and cool surface helps the parchment sit flat and prevents icing sugar from slipping underneath the paper.

Decorate

Sprinkle icing sugar over the stencil using a small sieve. Lift the parchment straight upward to reveal a clean crucifix shape on the surface of the cake.