Limoncello Cake Near You

What is a Limoncello Cake?

Limoncello cake is a very popular dessert that can be found in Italian restaurants across the world. Made out of sponge cake drizzled with limoncello liqueur and topped with fluffy, lemon-infused frosting, this cake is a refreshing dessert that pairs well with summer heat.

However, many people love to enjoy limoncello cake in every season, which is why this dessert can be found on restaurant menus year-round!

Where is Limoncello Originally From?

There's a lot of debate around the origin of limoncello. Something we know for sure is that the liqueur originated in Italy, but from there on, things get a bit tangled.

Some people claim that the town of Sorrento is where limoncello has its roots. There, they say, nobles developed the tasty drink and used to serve it to their guests. However, people from the Amalfi coast disagree. They say that limoncello was born there as far back as the Ancient Times, when fishermen and farmers used the drink to keep warm in the cold, coastal mornings.

There is also a third school of thought that's both very specific and very convincing. They believe that a woman by the name of Maria Antonia Farace is the inventor of limoncello. The claim is that Maria created the liqueur in the early 20th century in her Capri hotel, using fresh lemons and oranges from her garden. Her son Massimo registered the limoncello recipe in 1988, solidifying his mothers' claim on the drink.

No matter which story you decide to believe, I think we can all agree that the fact limoncello was invented is the most important part. Without it, we wouldn't have had the chance to enjoy the digestive itself nor the delicacy that is the limoncello cake.

Sadly, there aren't many sources that can specifically identify the origin of the limoncello cake recipe itself.

Fun Facts

• The only drinks that can be referred as Limoncello are those that are made with PGI lemons from the Sorrento area of Italy
• These lemons are grown using traditional techniques and specific circumstances
• The Sorrento area lemons are grown under chestnut trees so they can be protected from the cold

What is Limoncello Cake Made of?

As we said before, a limoncello cake is made out of sponge cake, limoncello, and frosting. Resembling a classic American lemon cake, this dish is an elevated, more refined version of the recipe, due mainly to the ingredients used in the process.

The way the cake is prepped is really very simple. Once baked until golden brown, the airy, plain sponge cake gets a healthy drizzle of limoncello. Since the point is for the cake to soak up the liqueur, it's important for it to be as fluffy as possible. Once the liquid settles in, the cake is frosted either with cream cheese or frosting.

Limoncello cake with mascarpone frosting is considered to be among the tastiest variations of the recipe. However, as the recipe is so simple and forgiving, many people opt for things like powdered sugar or limoncello syrup on top, sweetening up the dessert and giving it more of a tangy kick.

Another thing that interests a lot of people is the question: does limoncello cake have alcohol in it? The short answer is - yes, the real limoncello cake has alcohol in it. The liqueur itself has around 30% alcohol normally, which of course transfers to the cake. However, as the dessert asks for only a small amount of the drink to be drizzled on, the risk for getting drunk on limoncello cake is quite small.

Still, children should avoid eating it and opt for a cake with lemon flavor only. The flavor can be naturally achieved using lemon zest, which is actually done in a lot of restaurants that serve this delicious dessert.

How Many Calories Are in a Limoncello Cake?

A slice of limoncello cake with mascarpone frosting has about 380 calories, with 59g of carbs, 14g of fat, and 6g of protein.

This calorie count isn't high at all and is actually lower than what some other fan-favorite cakes have. For example, a slice of chocolate cake with frosting has about 430 calories, so in comparison, limoncello cake is definitely the healthier option.

Still, given that the classic daily count for most people is about 2000 calories and up, a slice of this delicious dessert won't hurt anyone at all!

Where Can I Find Limoncello Cake Near Me?

If all this reading made you crave a slice for yourself, here are some restaurant recommendations from us!

In Boston, we’d recommend Antico Forno.

In Houston, Mony’s Pizzeria is a definitive must-try!

Finally, if you’re in Chicago, we’d like to suggest Tutto Fresco.

If you didn’t find your city on our short list, head to the Slice website. There, you’ll find a range of great restaurants in your area. You can search by location as well as dish to make sure you find exactly what you’re looking for!