Torta Della Nonna Recipe

Step 1

Heat the milk and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan until it just comes to the boil. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, use a wire whisk to beat the egg yolks and sugar well until light and creamy. Stir in the flour.

Step 3

With a whisk, gradually add in the warm milk. Whisk well so that no lumps form.

Step 4

Strain the milk mixture back into the saucepan. Return to the heat and stir (I like to use a whisk) until it thickens. Boil for about a minute to cook the flour.

Step 5

Remove from the heat and pour into a clean bowl covering with plastic wrap. Press the plastic onto the surface of the filling to prevent a skin forming. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 6

In a food processor place the flour, lemon zest, baking powder, salt and butter. Pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Step 7

Add the sugar and egg yolks then process until the mixture just starts to come together on the sides of the bowl. Remove and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for an hour.

Step 8

Preheat oven to 350ºF/180ºC and grease a 9inch/23cm tart pan with a removable base with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 9

Soak pinenuts in a small bowl of water.

Step 10

Divide the dough in two pieces, with one slightly larger.

Step 11

Take the larger piece. Press it down to flatten and form a rough circle. Dust the pastry lightly with flour.

Step 12

Roll out the larger piece between two pieces of non stick baking paper until large enough to fit the tart pan. If the pastry is sticking, dust with a little more flour.

Step 13

Roll the pastry gently around the rolling pin. Lift and unroll into the pan. Pull up the pastry around the sides and encourage it to fall into the corners. Patch tears with excess pastry. Trim the edges level to the top of the pan.

Step 14

Spoon the cool pastry cream into the base. Spread and level the filling.

Step 15

Roll out the second piece of pastry as you did with the first and fit over the pastry cream, pressing the edges to seal and then trim off excess. Brush the top with water.

Step 16

Drain the pine nuts and sprinkle over the torta.

Step 17

Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Step 18

Allow to cool. Carefully remove torta from the pan and place on a serving plate. Dust with abundant powdered sugar. Serve at room temperature or chilled.