No-Bake Torta Mattonella: Italian Layered Biscuit Cake with Creamy Custard

No-Bake Torta Mattonella (Layered Biscuit Cake)
Serves: 6 | Category: Desserts

Torta Mattonella is a delightful no-bake Italian dessert that is perfect for anyone with a love for rich, creamy cakes. The process of creating this dessert might seem intricate, but the result is a wonderful blend of textures and flavors. A layer of crispy biscuits is alternated with a luscious homemade custard cream, all topped with a delicate dusting of cocoa powder and whipped cream. It’s a dessert that brings together the simplicity of biscuits with the sophistication of a homemade custard, making it perfect for family gatherings or special occasions.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Custard Cream
   To begin with, slice the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a small knife. In a saucepan with a thick base, pour in 250g of whole milk and 200g of cream. Add the vanilla pod and seeds to the mixture.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the 20g of sugar until they form a smooth, pale mixture. Gently heat the milk and cream mixture over medium heat, allowing it to come to a simmer. Once warm, slowly pour a ladle of the hot liquid into the egg yolk mixture to temper it. Stir gently to combine.

2. Cook the Custard
   Remove the vanilla pod from the saucepan and carefully pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk and cream. Stir continuously with a whisk, keeping the heat low, to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Allow the custard to thicken. The process should take about 8 to 10 minutes. Once thickened, remove it from the heat and immediately transfer it into a shallow dish to cool. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and set it aside to cool completely.

3. Assemble the Torta Mattonella
   Take the cooled custard cream and spread a thin layer over the surface of a plate or a rectangular baking dish. Place the digestive biscuits over the cream in a single layer. To ensure the biscuits absorb just the right amount of moisture, dip them quickly in the remaining whole milk.
   Spread about 3 tablespoons of custard on top of the biscuits. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the cream evenly over the biscuits. Then, dust the custard layer with unsweetened cocoa powder using a fine sieve to avoid clumps.

4. Continue Layering
   Repeat this process, alternating layers of biscuits, custard cream, and cocoa powder. You will need 6 layers in total. Make sure to finish the last layer with biscuits on top. Once all the layers are assembled, cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill and firm up for about 3 hours.

5. Prepare the Whipped Cream
   While the cake chills, prepare the whipped cream topping. In a mixing bowl, pour in the 150g of fresh cream and the 220g of sugar. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, whip the cream until it reaches stiff peaks. The whipped cream should be thick and hold its shape well.

6. Finish the Torta Mattonella
   After the torta has chilled, carefully lift it out of the dish using the edges of the plastic wrap. Place the cake onto a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of whipped cream over the top of the cake. Finish with a light dusting of cocoa powder to give the dessert a polished and professional appearance.

7. Serve and Enjoy
   Cut into slices, revealing the beautiful layers of biscuits, creamy custard, and whipped cream. Each bite is a combination of soft, velvety textures and a slight crunch from the biscuits. This dessert is best enjoyed chilled and is guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering.

Tips:

• Layering the Biscuits: Be careful when soaking the biscuits in milk. If you leave them in too long, they may become soggy. A quick dip is all you need.
• Make Ahead: This dessert can be made a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together even more. Just make sure to store it in the fridge.
• Vanilla Substitute: If you don’t have a vanilla pod, you can use 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract in place of the pod.

This Torta Mattonella is an exquisite dessert that combines classic ingredients into something both indulgent and easy to prepare. The rich custard and smooth whipped cream create a perfect contrast to the crispy biscuits. It’s a dessert you’ll make again and again for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family dinner or a special celebration.