Ciambella allo Yogurt (Easy Yogurt Cake), or otherwise called in Italy "Torta dei 7 vasetti", is a simple, fast, and delicious cake made of yogurt (plain or flavored), and basic kitchen ingredients. You will use the yogurt container to measure your ingredients as follows: 1 container (vasetto) of yogurt (125 grams), 2 containers of sugar, 1 container of oil, and 3 containers of flour. That's the '7 vasetti' (7 containers). Plus 3 eggs and 1 sachet (packet) of baking powder. Now, how easy is that?
Song of the day: Spirito nel buio by Zucchero
Ciambella allo Yogurt, Easy Yogurt Cake, is the cake that I associate with my family in Italy. It is the type of cake my mother and I would make all the time to have at breakfast, as a quick snack, or even as our dessert at the end of a meal, accompanied by an espresso coffee. As far as popularity in my family, there is only one other sweet treat that can rival this cake, and that is our beloved Crostata.
The Ingredients
This Ciambella allo Yogurt, Easy Yogurt Cake, is one of those cakes that don't make you run around to get fancy ingredients. Most of the ingredients are fridge and pantry staples:
- yogurt, at room temperature
- sugar (I use organic cane sugar)
- vegetable oil (I use peanut oil)
- eggs, at room temperature (we only buy organic free-range eggs)
- lemon, organic
- vanilla extract (optional)
- flour (I use type 0 or 00) (or 2 parts flour, 1 part potato starch)
- baking powder (in Italy it comes in individual sachets (packets) of 16 grams each and you usually add one sachet to a cake)
- pinch of salt (optional)
Use the yogurt container to measure the ingredients
The making of the cake relies on one small yogurt container. Not only does the yogurt go into the recipe, but you use the container to measure your other ingredients. The cake can be made with plain yogurt or any flavor you like. Although my mom's recipe asks for plain yogurt, I have always used apricot yogurt. To me, it gives the perfect flavor, especially if you add a grating of lemon zest and -maybe- a touch of vanilla extract.
In Italy, most of the yogurts come in single containers of 125 grams. Nonetheless, this is a very forgiving cake and if your yogurt container is not exactly the same weight, I feel confident to assure you that it doesn't really matter. I added the measurements in grams as well, so feel free to use that, although you will lose the practicality of the yogurt container.
How to Make the Yogurt Cake
It is such an easy recipe that you can definitely make the batter by hand using a bowl, a whisk, a spatula, and a flour sifter. Italian mix things up more with wooden spoons than with spatulas, and in fact, at my parents, I couldn't find a spatula for the life of me, and had to use a wooden spoon to fold.
As a matter of fact, the batter comes perfect with a handheld electric mixer.
- I start by emptying the yogurt in a cup so I have the container available to measure the other ingredients.
- First thing, in the empty yogurt container I measure the sugar. Beat or whisk the eggs with two containers of sugar until a bit frothy, then add the lemon zest . TIP: Over the years I have reduced the sugar to 1 container and it is just the right amount of sweetness, especially if you use a flavored yogurt.
- Secondly, slowly, add 1 container of vegetable oil, followed by the yogurt, and the vanilla (if using). Keep mixing until everything is well incorporated.
- Thirdly, add 1 container of flour at a time, and I usually pass it through a sieve. In the last container of flour, add the salt (if using), and the baking powder and sift together into the batter. Mix thoroughly.
- Lastly, pour the batter into the prepared cake pan (whatever you've decided to use) and bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Variations
This cake can be made in a bundt pan, in a loaf pan (and in this case in Italian it is called Plumcake), or in a round springform baking pan (20-24 cm). Whatever floats your boat. It is going to be delicious nevertheless. I used, as always, my mother's small (20 cm) vintage bundt cake pan. Love that shape!
It is very versatile and you can turn it into a complete different cake just by changing the yogurt flavor, or adding some pieces of fruit in the batter, or chocolate chips, or a part of cocoa. Hope you'll try all the delicious variations!
Cake for Breakfast? Yes, Please.
Ciambella allo Yogurt is the perfect breakfast cake. Simple, not too sweet, it has the right consistency if you, like me, like to dunk it in your coffee. I always quickly plunge it into my cappuccino and when I lift it to my mouth, the combination of moistened cake and coffee makes me happy.
Also, it works well as a snack (merenda), it is lovely with a cup of tea, and -why not- as a light dessert at the end of a meal. Being a simple, pretty wholesome cake, we have never added anything more than a dusting of powdered (icing) sugar.
Although my mom's handwritten recipe book has recipes that sometimes give me a 'headache', lol, (no baking time, no instructions, no oven temperatures!), this Ciambella allo Yogurt, Easy Yogurt Cake is a trusted recipe that has been made countless of times. My mother makes it every other week and as soon as I come back to Rome, it is the first cake she asks me to bake.
What distinguishes this cake from any other is its moistness. However, it has such an amazing subtle flavor that captivates my taste buds at every bite. Pair that with a nice morning cappuccino and I am the happiest camper in the world.
Want to experience a European-style breakfast? Get that container of yogurt and see for yourself how easy it is to make this Yogurt Cake!
Please, don't forget to let us know in the comments how you liked it!
PrintCiambella allo Yogurt (Easy Yogurt Cake)
Ciambella allo Yogurt (Easy Yogurt Cake) is a simple, fast, and delicious cake made of yogurt (plain or flavored), and basic kitchen ingredients. You will use the yogurt container to measure your ingredients as follows: 1 container of yogurt (125 grams), 2 containers of sugar, 1 container of oil, and 3 containers of flour. Plus 3 eggs and 1 sachet (packet) of baking powder. Now, how easy is that?
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 x 125 g apricot yogurt at room temperature (empty the yogurt container and use it as your measuring "cup")
- 2 containers (about 200 g) cane sugar (lately I have reduced the sugar to 1 container)
- 1 container (125 g) vegetable oil (I use peanut oil)
- 3 large eggs, organic free range, at room temperature
- the zest of 1 organic lemon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract, optional
- 3 containers (about 260 g) flour 00 (or 180 g flour + 80 g potato starch)
- 16 g (1 sachet) baking powder
- pinch of salt. optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F (180° C). Butter and flour a bundt pan, or 20-24 cm cake pan, or loaf pan.
- Beat the eggs with the sugar with an electric whisk or by hand until frothy. Add the lemon zest.
- Add the vegetable oil slowly and keep whisking, then the yogurt and vanilla (if using) and continue whisking until everything is well incorporated.
- Sift the flour with the salt and baking powder.
- Add the flour mixture a little at a time (or 1 container at a time) and blend well using an electric whisk or by hand until smooth and without lumps.
- Pour the cake batter in the prepared cake pan (whatever you've decided to use) and bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Take out of the oven and let cool on a rack before unmolding.
- Dust with powdered (icing) sugar and serve.
Notes
The yogurt cake can keep at room temperature, covered, for 3-4 days without losing its moist crumb.
You can use plain or flavored yogurt. You can add fruit, or chocolate chips, or a part of cocoa (add 2 tablespoon of cocoa and take out 2 tablespoon of flour). Whatever addition, it must be added at the end, after the flour mixture has been incorporated.
I love baking and kneading dough because it takes me to a happy place in my soul.
Ben says
This sounds really good. I've never heard of yogurt cake before. It looks amazing. I'll have to make this over the weekend.
It's a popular cake in Italy and France. Amazing, if I might say so. Thank you, hope you love it!
Bernice Hill says
It's probably no secret that I'm a big fan of cake for breakfast or anytime really. I love how light and fluffy this cake looks. Pinning to bake later!
I cannot eat any type of cakes at breakfast, but the simple ones like this, yes ???? . Thank you for pinning!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Cake for breakfast?! Count me in! This looks so moist and is just calling my name loud and clear! Definitely making this soon! I can't wait to try this recipe!
I hope you make it! It has a wonderful texture and flavor and it is fairly wholesome to have at breakfast. We do! 🙂 Thanks!
Uma says
Yogurt cake looks so good and yummy! I love baking cake during this season. I would love to bake your cake recipe.
It is really simple and fast and most important, very delicious. Hope you make it. thank you!
Analida Braeger says
My family loved his cake! It is so moist and soft. Thanks so much!
Thank you! Yes, we are making it again, we love it so much! 🙂
Paula Montenegro says
Simple and delicious! I love this cake and it's always a hit whenever I make it! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! We love it too and you're right, it's always a hit!
Sophie says
This looks so so decadent. I always wanted to make some yogurt cake. Thanks for the recipe
Thank you! It is delicious while being wholesome and very simple.
David says
never would have thought about a yogurt based cake, but clearly creates a nice, moist result here!
Thank you! Whoever makes it, loves it. The yogurt creates a surprisingly delicious texture.
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
This yogurt cake looks so fluffy and delicious! The yogurt cakes I've come across typically call for plain yogurt, so I love that you've used a flavored yogurt to give this cake an extra, subtle flavor. Can't wait to give it a try.
Thanks! Exactly, an additional subtle flavor. And the apricot yogurt gives a wonderful hint.
Joanne Ochej says
Ciao Nicoletta, I've finally made this recipe, converting it to gluten free... and is it delicious! For the flour I used half Bob's Red Mill 1 to 1 baking flour & half potato starch. Vanilla yogurt & orange zest (I didn't have lemon) filled the kitchen with lovely aromas during baking and made the cake molto delizioso. Grazie mille, this recipe is a keeper~
That's great, Joanne! I'm so happy to hear that! Plus, you made some great substitutions and other people can definitely benefit from that. Thank you!
Marvin Thomas says
Made this yogurt cake over the weekend, it was delicious and moist. I used a peach / apricot yogurt which gave the cake a subtle fruity taste.
Thank you! Yes, using apricot yogurt is my absolute favorite! Glad you liked it. Happy baking!
Anna says
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I read it a few days ago and loved the connection with your Mother and the idea of using the yoghurt container as the measuring device. I baked this today for my mother and my daughter. I modified slightly by using Greek style yoghurt and replacing 1/2 the sugar with homemade orange marmalade. Absolutely delicious and enjoyed by 3 generations!
Reading this comment made me so happy! A cake enjoyed by three generations! Wonderful! Thank you for the feedback. I like the adjustments you made. I also use half the sugar but have never tried using Greek yogurt....