Italian Christmas Pudding Cake Without Eggs

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Nigella's Italian Christmas Pudding Cake (from NIGELLISSIMA) is a dessert made from layers of panettone sandwiched with a mascarpone cream that is studded with marrons glaces (candied chestnuts), chocolate chips and chopped pistachio nuts. It makes a light alternative to a Christmas pudding or a wonderful dessert with any seasonal meal.

The filling is similar to a tiramisu cream and is enriched with eggs that are whisked to a mousse with caster sugar. The eggs are uncooked so it may not be suitable for those who need to avoid raw or lightly cooked eggs. If you prefer you can omit the eggs from the cake. If doing this then instead of using caster (superfine) sugar use 50g (1/2 cup) icing (confectioner's) sugar and add this mascarpone and cream before whisking them together until just combined (be careful not to over-whip the mixture at this stage). You could also add 2 tablespoons of Advocaat to the mascarpone mixture, along with the marsala, to emulate some of the original's eggy richness. Nigella's Christmas Dessert Collection also has a multitude of suggestions for seasonal sweet treats.