Football Cake (Torta Pallone)
Category: Desserts
Servings: 8
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Sugar | 360g |
| All-purpose flour (Farina 00) | 300g |
| Eggs | 225g |
| Water | 190ml |
| Sunflower seed oil | 180ml |
| Potato starch (Fecola di patate) | 75g |
| Baking powder | 12g |
| Vanilla bean | 1 pod |
| Table salt | 1 pinch |
| Greek yogurt | 525g |
| Fresh liquid cream (Panna fresca) | 225ml |
| Powdered sugar (Zucchero a velo) | 75g |
| Gelatin sheets | 20g |
| Vanilla bean | 1 pod |
| Sugar paste (Pasta di zucchero) | 600g |
| Food coloring | As needed |
| Water | As needed |
| Fresh liquid cream (Panna fresca) | 300ml |
| Powdered sugar (Zucchero a velo) | 40g |
| Food coloring | As needed |
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Sponge Cake
To start, prepare the sponge cake (pan di spagna). In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and a pinch of salt using an electric hand mixer for approximately 20 minutes. Once the mixture is light and fluffy, slowly incorporate the sunflower seed oil and water.
In a separate small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and potato starch. Gradually add this dry mixture into the egg mixture, continuing to beat with the electric mixer to combine all ingredients evenly.
Transfer the batter into a hemispherical mold (1.8 liters) that has been greased and floured. If you don’t have a hemispherical mold, a round cake tin will work too.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 180°C (or 160°C if using a fan oven) for about 70 minutes. If using a fan oven, the baking time may reduce to around 60-65 minutes. Once done, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack. When it has cooled completely, gently turn the cake upside down.
Step 2: Preparing the Cream Filling
While the sponge cake is cooling, prepare the filling. Begin by soaking the gelatin sheets in cold water for at least 10 minutes.
Next, heat 75 ml of cream in a small saucepan. Once it’s warm, pour it over the soaked gelatin sheets. Stir gently to ensure the gelatin dissolves completely, then set the mixture aside to cool.
In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, the seeds scraped from one vanilla pod, and powdered sugar. Stir well to achieve a smooth mixture.
Step 3: Assembling the Cake
Once the sponge cake is cool, carefully carve a circle from the top, leaving about 1.5 centimeters from the edge. Work gently and go deep enough to hollow out the inside, creating room for the filling. Flatten the dome of the sponge with a knife, then slice the cake into two even layers. These layers will form the cake’s structure. If you prefer, you can carve the sponge piece by piece to create layered sections.
Using a piping bag, fill the hollowed cake with the yogurt-cream filling, spreading it evenly with the back of a spoon. Then place one of the sponge discs back on top, followed by another layer of filling. You may want to trim any sharp edges of the cake to ensure the finished product will sit evenly on a serving plate. Place the cake back into the mold to help maintain its shape during the next steps.
Step 4: Decorating the Cake
For the decoration, begin by dividing the sugar paste (pasta di zucchero) into four equal portions. Keep one portion white to cover the entire cake. Color the remaining three portions with food coloring: use blue for one portion, a mix of yellow and red to create orange for another, and red for the third. Be sure to wear disposable gloves to prevent staining your hands.
Roll out the white sugar paste into a thin sheet and cover the entire cake. Then, roll out the colored sugar pastes and cut them into hexagonal shapes, using 5 cm sides. You will need 3 red hexagons, 4 orange, and 4 blue. Gently brush the surface of the cake with a little water and alternate the colored hexagons on the cake to create the appearance of a football.
Step 5: Preparing the Green Grass Decoration
To complete the football theme, whip the remaining 300 ml of liquid cream in a bowl until it forms soft peaks. Add 40g of powdered sugar and continue whipping for another couple of minutes. Then, color the whipped cream with a few drops of green food coloring to resemble grass.
Transfer the green whipped cream into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle. Decorate the base of the cake with a grass-like pattern, giving the appearance of a football field.
Step 6: Final Touches
Your football cake is now ready to be displayed and served! The vibrant colors and detailed decoration will make it a show-stopping dessert for any occasion, especially for a sports-themed party or a fun celebration.
Enjoy your delicious, creative creation and delight your guests with every bite!
Nutrition Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy (Calories) | 370 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 58g |
| Sugars | 41g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Salt | 0.1g |
This football cake is the perfect balance of sweetness, creamy filling, and fun design, making it an irresistible treat for both kids and adults alike. Enjoy making it as much as eating it!
