Michele Ferrero, the creator of the world-famous confectionery, drew inspiration for his masterpiece from the works of Renaissance artist Raphael Santi, after whom he named the Raffaello candies in 1990. We’ll need a sense of beauty as well while preparing the cake of the same name.
Ingredients for the sponge cake: flour – 150 g (1 cup, 250 ml); baking powder – 4 g (1 tsp); sugar – 110 g (½ cup); eggs – 3 pcs.; coconut flakes – 30 g; almond flakes – 30 g; Raffaello candies – for decoration (optional).
Ingredients for the cream: coconut milk – 250 ml (1 cup); condensed milk – 150 g (½ cup); cream – 300 ml (1.2 cups); gelatin – 7 g (½ tbsp); water for dissolving gelatin – 35 ml (2 tbsp).
Preparation
For the coconut sponge cake from the Raffaello recipe, beat the and into a thick egg mixture, then add the flour and baking powder mixture. Stir and fold in the coconut flakes.
According to the classic recipe, the Raffaello cake needs to be baked. Pour the batter into a mold and place it in a preheated oven at 165°C (with convection). After 35−40 minutes, remove the sponge from the oven, let it cool, trim the top, and remove the mold. Cut the sponge into three equal layers.
For the coconut cream, soak the gelatin in room temperature water for 10−15 minutes. Mix the coconut milk with the condensed milk and heat over medium heat. Add the bloomed gelatin to the milk and stir.
Pour the cream base into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a few hours. Then, blend it until smooth, combine it with the whipped cream, and mix well.
To assemble the Raffaello cake according to the classic recipe, start by lining the sides of an 18 cm diameter mold with acetate film. Place the bottom layer of sponge in the mold and soak it with coconut milk. Spread cream on top, filling the space between the sponge and the mold.
Repeat the same process for the next two layers, then refrigerate the cake for 4 hours.
Remove the mold and film from the cake, decorate the sides and top with almond flakes, and sprinkle with coconut flakes for a crunchy layer. Optionally, adorn the cake with Raffaello candies.
Life Hack
A quick alternative to the classic Raffaello cake recipe is the no-bake Raffaello cake – it simply layers together and soaks while setting. This recipe involves creating a delicate coconut-nut dessert based on crispy wafer layers or crackers (cookies) and custard (with butter, nuts, and coconut flakes).
