Ep 25. Italian Cakes

Lidia Bastianich is back with another delicious episode of Lidia's Kitchen. In this episode, titled "Italian Cakes," Lidia shares her favorite recipes for classic Italian cakes that are perfect for any occasion.

First, Lidia whips up a simple yet elegant hazelnut cake, which is made with ground hazelnuts, all-purpose flour, and eggs. She demonstrates how to prepare the batter and then bakes the cake in the oven until it's golden brown. Once the cake is cooled, Lidia shows how to make a homemade chocolate ganache to drizzle over the top.

Next, Lidia creates a moist and decadent rum cake that's sure to impress any dinner guest. She shows how to make the cake from scratch, starting with a simple batter of flour, sugar, eggs, and oil. Then, she adds a generous dash of rum for an extra punch of flavor. Once the cake is baked, Lidia makes a delicious glaze to pour over the top, which adds a sweet and boozy touch to the dessert.

For a lighter option, Lidia shares her recipe for a refreshing lemon ricotta cake. This cake is made with fresh ricotta cheese, lemon zest, and eggs, and it has a delicate texture that's perfect for spring and summer. Lidia shows how to make a quick lemon syrup to drizzle over the top of the cake, which adds a tangy and sweet flavor to each bite.

Finally, Lidia finishes off the episode with her take on the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu. This version of the dessert is made with homemade ladyfingers, which are soaked in a mixture of strong coffee and rum. Then, Lidia shows how to make a creamy mascarpone filling that's light and fluffy, thanks to the addition of whipped cream. Once the ladyfingers and filling are layered together, Lidia dusts the top with cocoa powder for the final touch.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares her tips and tricks for making these delicious cakes, including how to properly measure ingredients, how to layer and decorate cakes, and how to adjust recipes to suit your taste. Whether you're an experienced baker or a novice, Lidia's Kitchen is the perfect place to learn how to create these classic Italian desserts.