Mimosa Cake | A Classic Italian Dessert for Mother’s Day

Soft, delicate, and filled with love — Torta Mimosa is the traditional Italian cake to celebrate women and mothers. Layers of fluffy sponge cake filled with light custard and whipped cream, gently soaked in rum syrup and topped with cubes of cake to resemble mimosa flowers.

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About This Dish

The Mimosa Cake takes its name from the mimosa flower, a symbol of International Women’s Day in Italy. This dessert combines the airy texture of sponge cake with a smooth custard cream, all lightly perfumed with rum syrup. Its bright, delicate look makes it the perfect centrepiece for celebrations.

Ingredients

Sponge Cake (Pan di Spagna):	6 eggs, 180 g sugar, 180 g all-purpose flour
Filling:	250 ml milk, 2 egg yolks, 50 g sugar, 25 g corn starch, zest of 1 lemon, 200 ml thickened cream, vanilla (optional), pineapple slices (optional)
Syrup (Bagna):	2 cups water, 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp rum
To Finish:	Icing sugar, sugar flowers (optional)

How to Make It

Prep Time: 45 mins | Cook Time: 35 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Step 1: Prepare the sponge cake by whisking eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy. Gently fold in sifted flour. Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 35 minutes. Cool completely.
Step 2: Make the custard by heating milk with lemon zest. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and corn starch in a bowl, then slowly add hot milk. Return to heat and cook until thickened. Cool.
Step 3: Whip cream with vanilla (if using) and fold into the cooled custard to create the filling.
Step 4: Prepare the syrup by boiling water with sugar, then add rum once cooled.
Step 5: Slice sponge cake horizontally into layers. Reserve one layer and cut it into small cubes for decoration.
Step 6: Assemble by soaking sponge layers with syrup, spreading filling between layers, and covering the cake with more cream.
Step 7: Decorate the top with sponge cubes to resemble mimosa flowers, dust with icing sugar, and add sugar flowers if desired.

Tucci’s Tips

For extra flavor, replace rum with Limoncello for a fresh citrus twist.

Chill the cake for at least 3 hours before serving for best texture.

Add pineapple between layers for a refreshing bite.

Variations

Alcohol-Free: Skip the rum and use orange juice in the syrup.
Chocolate Twist: Add a thin layer of melted white chocolate to the filling.
Mini Version: Make individual portions in dessert glasses.

Did You Know?

Historical Fact: The Torta Mimosa was created in the 1950s in Rieti, Italy, to honor women on March 8th, International Women’s Day.

Fun Fact: The mimosa flower is so iconic in Italy that it’s often gifted alongside this cake as a symbol of appreciation and respect for women.

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Storage & Thank You

Store in the fridge for up to 2 days for the best taste and texture.

Can it be frozen? Yes, you can freeze it for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

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