For home-made "Pane di Spagna" recipes see Italy Revisited/Recipes/ "Cakes"

The cake in the photo was bought in an Italian pastry shop. To make a similar cake look for the recipe "Pane di Spagna" in "Cakes" and for the custard filling look in "Custards and Puddings."

Prior to World War II Southern Italians rarely made cakes for birthdays. Biscotti were generally served for birthdays and/or Name Day Feasts. Cakes were generally reserved for weddings and baptisms. "Pande di Spagna" layered with custard (or Italian-style pastry cream) was the traditional "classic" Italian cake of that time. Photo: Mary Melfi.

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