La Vita è Dolce

Spiced pumpkin cake with orange and mascarpone icing

Torta di zucca speziata con crema all’arancia e mascarpone

➤ SERVES 8-10 ➤ PREPARATION 30 minutes ➤ BAKING 30 minutes

I love pumpkin in sweet and savoury recipes, and I was delighted to discover that it is often baked into cakes in Italy. The grated flesh gives an earthy depth, sweetness and moistness to the cake, as well as being undeniably autumnal. This torta di zucca is the cavallo di battaglia (battle horse, or secret weapon) of one of my friend’s aunts, who serves it unfrosted, though I love this rich, creamy icing so much I am loathe to part with it, however good the cake may be on its own. You can use any sweet eating pumpkin or squash for this, such as butternut, crown prince or onion squash.

• 120g butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing• • • • • • • • •