Torta Paradiso (Traditional Italian Paradise Cake Recipe) 

Torta Paradiso is a classic Italian cake, translated as paradise cake, because it is truly a piece of heaven! This soft and tender cake has the most amazing texture and is made with simple ingredients. 

This Torta Paradiso recipe is the classic way to make this traditional cake. Made with butter, sugar, lots of eggs, and potato starch, this soft and fluffy cake is sure to be your new favorite Italian dessert. 

For more traditional Italian desserts, don’t miss this Torta Margherita, Italian Custard Cake, or Pan di Spagna. If you love baking with ricotta, try my Almond Ricotta Cake or these Limoncello Ricotta Cookies. 

What is Torta Paradiso?

Torta Paradiso is a classic Italian cake known for its simplicity and delicate flavor. It originates from the Lombardy region in Italy. This “Paradise Cake” is characterized by its soft, fluffy texture and subtle sweetness, making it a great choice for both breakfast and dessert. 

Torta Paradiso has a buttery, vanilla-infused taste. Its name, which translates to “Paradise Cake,” reflects its heavenly taste and texture.

Torta Paradiso is truly unique and is similar to an extremely soft sponge cake or chiffon cake. It’s delicious served plain or with whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruit. 

Potato Starch versus Cornstarch in Baking

In baked goods, potato starch and cornstarch serve similar roles but affect the final product differently. Potato starch contributes to a tender, moist crumb due to its moisture-retaining and binding properties. It provides a slightly denser texture and performs well under high temperatures, making it ideal for recipes requiring extended baking times. 

Corn starch, on the other hand, helps create a light, airy texture and is often used with flour to soften the structure of cakes, cookies, and pastries, resulting in a delicate crumb. It also provides structure and stability, making it useful for thickening fillings in pies and pastries.

When used in larger quantities, like in this Torta Paradiso recipe, potato starch is favored for its ability to retain moisture and bind ingredients. Using cornstarch will change the texture of the cake. 

Ingredients

• Flour: use regular all purpose flour. Be sure to sift the flour and potato starch before adding to the batter. 
• Potato Starch: you can find potato starch in the baking section of most grocery stores. I recommend using potato starch instead of cornstarch for a better consistency. 
• Butter: use room temperature unsalted butter. Make sure you are using soft butter here. 
• Powdered Sugar: use confectioners sugar to get a soft and fluffy consistency. 

• Eggs: Torta Paradiso gets its rich consistency from the eggs! You will need both whole eggs, with the egg whites, as well as egg yolks. 
• Lemon: a bit of lemon zest adds delicious flavor to this cake. Feel free to add more lemon if desired or omit it altogether. 
• Vanilla: use vanilla extract to get that sweet and rich flavor. 
• Baking Powder: be sure are using baking powder and not baking soda. 
• Salt: kosher salt is best for baking. 

How to Make Torta Paradiso 

Torta Paradiso – Italian Paradise Cake – is a delicious and simple fluffy Italian cake that’s often referred to as “heaven cake.” Start by greasing 9-inch greased springform pan and line it with a parchment round. 

Step 1: sift dry ingredients

Potato starch has the tendency to clump so I recommend sifting it before using to ensure a fluffy and smooth texture. 

Start by placing the flour, potato starch and baking powder in a large mesh sieve. Sift it over a large bowl until all of the dry ingredients are pushed through and the mixture is smooth. 

Step 2: mix together wet ingredients

In a separate bowl or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar and mix with an electric mixer until well combined and pale in color, about 2 minutes. 

Add in the egg yolks and whole eggs. Then, mix the batter until it is well combined and creamy. Add in the lemon zest and vanilla and mix to combine. 

Step 3: combine ingredients 

Lastly, add in the sifted dry ingredients. Mix in the dry ingredients just until combined. Pour the cake batter into prepared pan. 

Step 4: bake and serve

Bake Torta Paradiso on a center rack in oven for about 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes then remove the collar from the pan and cool completely. 

Once the cake is completely cooled, dust the top with plenty of icing sugar and cut into slices and serve. 

How to Serve Torta Paradiso

Torta Paradiso is delicious served on its own with a cup of hot coffee or tea. It’s a simple after dinner treat, midday snack, or great served for breakfast with fresh fruit. 

For special occasions, I like to serve this fabulous paradise cake with a side of whipped cream. It’s also great with a drizzle of Italian pastry cream or Italian pistachio cream. 

What to Make with Leftover Egg Whites

Be sure to hold on to your leftover egg whites! They are essential for making many different Italian desserts. 

You can save the egg whites and make Amaretti Morbidi, Sicilian Almond Cookies, or Italian Walnut Cookies. Another classic way to use egg whites is in these Coconut Macaroons. 

Recipe Tips 

• Potato starch is one of the main ingredients in Torta Paradiso for making the perfect cake. You can find potato starch in the baking section of most grocery stores. 
• Don’t skimp on the mixing times! The key to getting a fluffy airy cake is to mix the ingredients well and incorporate air into the batter. 
• Flavor this cake with other extracts or zests to get a different flavor profile. 
• You can store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three day or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze for up to a month. 

More Italian Cake Recipes!