Chombolini (Italian Anise Cake)

A festive Italian lemon anise cake is made with a flavorful blend of dates, walnuts, anise, and lemon. This chombolini recipe makes a perfect dessert.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 485 Calories

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons anise extract
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon shortening
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 drop lemon extract
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups white sugar
• 0.33333334326744 cup milk
• 0.33333334326744 cup orange juice

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a fluted tube pan (such as Bundt) with shortening and dust with flour.

Step 2

Combine orange juice and milk in a separate bowl; add to sugar mixture. Stir in flour mixture, anise extract, and lemon extract until well combined. Fold in dates and walnuts; pour into the prepared pan.

Step 3

Sift 3 ½ cups flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.

Step 4

Beat sugar and butter together in a bowl with a spoon until creamy. Mix in eggs.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until top of cake springs back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 60 minutes. Cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling, 15 to 25 minutes more.