Easter is an important Christian holiday, often celebrated with a feast, for which many special foods are prepared. Ricotta is a fresh Italian whey cheese, made from sheep, cow or goat's milk whey left over from the production of hard cheese. As a result, ricotta has a soft and creamy texture that makes it incredibly versatile. It is delicious on its own, but can also be used in a variety of dishes, including soup, pasta, cheesecake and pancakes. In the case of ricotta cake, the cheese is so rich and creamy that it can give the classic holiday cake moistness, delicate flavor and a fine crumb. The ricotta cake tends to be denser than traditional cakes and has a more delicate flavor that many people find enjoyable. Whether you're looking to wow your guests or just want to enjoy a delicious and festive treat, ricotta Easter cake is the perfect choice.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
RICOTTA CAKE
Our Neapolitan cake is soft as a down pillow, creamy like custard, and lightly flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. Serve wedges at room temperature with an easy sauce of fresh strawberries.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Bring milk to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in rice, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla bean. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until rice is very tender and has absorbed all liquid, about 30 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat. Stir in 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Cover; let cool, stirring occasionally. Discard vanilla bean.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch-round, 3-inch-deep springform pan. In a large bowl, combine the rice mixture, ricotta, whole eggs and egg yolks, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Pour into prepared pan. Bake until golden on top and almost set in the center, 65 to 70 minutes; cover with foil if starting to brown too much. Transfer pan to a cooling rack.
- When cake has completely cooled, run a knife around edge to loosen. Gentlyremove ring; transfer cake to a serving platter. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve with sauce.
ITALIAN RICOTTA EASTER BREAD
I changed our family's traditional Easter bread by adding ricotta and a few other ingredients. The almond flavoring works wonders! - Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h15m
Yield 18 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and egg yolks,1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in ricotta and extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition, stirring in final 1 cup flour by hand., Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into thirds. Roll each into an 18-in. rope. Place ropes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and braid. Pinch ends to seal; tuck under braid. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45-55 minutes (do not overbake). Remove to wire racks to cool., Meanwhile, beat confectioners' sugar, milk and extract until smooth. Brush on bread while still warm; top with sliced almonds or sprinkles.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 376 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 68mg cholesterol, Sodium 247mg sodium, Carbohydrate 60g carbohydrate (28g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
RICOTTA CHEESECAKE
This is the easiest cheesecake to make-it takes just 15 minutes to assemble and doesn't require a water bath. When berries are in season, you can serve them instead of the compote.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Yield Makes one 9-inch cake
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously butter and sugar a 9-inch springform pan (3 inches deep). Whisk together ricotta, egg yolks, flour, 6 tablespoons sugar, the zest, and salt in a large bowl.
- Whisk egg whites with a mixer on low speed until foamy. Raise speed to high, and gradually add remaining 6 tablespoons sugar, whisking until stiff, glossy peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Gently fold a third of the whites into ricotta mixture using a rubber spatula until just combined. Gently fold in remaining whites until just combined.
- Pour batter into pan, and bake until center is firm and top is deep golden brown, about 1 hour. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around edge of cake; release sides to remove from pan, and let cool completely. Serve with citrus-vanilla compote.
RICOTTA EASTER CAKE
An old family recipe. I use this recipe as the base for my Italian cheesecake.
Provided by Buon Appetito
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 14h30m
Yield 40
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Place wheat berries into a bowl, cover with water, and soak for 3 days, changing water 2 or 3 times per day. Drain and place wheat berries into a saucepan; pour in milk to cover. Stir 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, orange zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into wheat and milk. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until wheat berries are tender, about 1 hour. Refrigerate.
- Sift flour, 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, baking powder, and 1 pinch of salt together in a bowl; cut butter into flour mixture, using a pastry cutter, until butter forms small lumps. Make a well in flour mixture and pour 3 beaten eggs into the well; add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon anisette liqueur to eggs. Stir together to make a smooth dough. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
- Move a rack into low position in oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease and flour the 8x8-inch cake pans.
- Divide dough into fourths; roll each piece out onto a floured work surface to make a thin 12x12-inch dough square. Fit dough into a prepared cake pan. Repeat with remaining dough to make 4 crusts.
- Beat ricotta cheese with 12 eggs in a large bowl until mixture is smooth and creamy. Add 1 cup of soaked wheat berries, pineapple preserves, 1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, heavy cream, dried mixed fruit, white sugar, 1/4 cup anisette liqueur, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1 pinch of salt. Stir to combine thoroughly and divide ricotta filling into each crust.
- Bake cakes on the bottom rack of the preheated oven for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 225 degrees F (105 degrees C) and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let cakes cool in the oven with the door open, about 30 minutes. Let cakes cool to room temperature, then chill at least 2 hours (up to overnight). Sprinkle each cake with about 1 1/2 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste, before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 249.8 calories, Carbohydrate 33 g, Cholesterol 95.8 mg, Fat 9.6 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 8.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 95.7 mg, Sugar 19.5 g
PASTIERA WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE - EASTER RICOTTA CAKE
I hunted through a dozen pages of recipes to make sure this was not duplicating, couldn't find one like it. This is an incredible cake--light, creamy-like custard, flavoured lightly with vanilla, all in one. The perfect Easter pastiera, originally from Martha Stewart Living.
Provided by Derf2440
Categories Dessert
Time 2h
Yield 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Bring milk to a boil in a large sauce pan over medium high heat.
- Stir in rice, cinnamon, salt and vanilla bean.
- Reduce heat to medium low, cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until rice is very tender and has absorbed all liquid, about 30 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat, stir in 3/4 cup granulated sugar, cover, let cool, stirring occasionally.
- Discard vanilla bean.
- Preheat oven to 350°F degrees.
- Butter and flour an 8-inch springform pan.
- In a large bowl, fold together, the rice mixture, ricotta, whole eggs and egg yolks, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar, very carefully using a rubber spatula.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake until golden, 65 to 70 minutes, cover with foil if starting to brown too much.
- Transfer pan to cooling rack.
- When cake has cooled completely, run a knife around edge to loosen.
- Gently remove ring; transfer cake to a serving plate.
- Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and serve at room temperature with sauce.
- Sauce:.
- Combine all ingredients in a medium nonreactive saucepan.
- Cook over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, until berries are soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 316.9, Fat 15, SaturatedFat 8.8, Cholesterol 128.6, Sodium 183.8, Carbohydrate 32, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 21.8, Protein 14
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the cake will taste. This is especially true for the ricotta cheese, which should be as fresh as possible.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make the cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Bake the cake in a preheated oven: This will help the cake rise evenly.
- Don't open the oven door during baking: This will cause the cake to fall.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting: This will help the frosting to set properly.
- Decorate the cake with your favorite toppings: Some popular toppings include fresh fruit, whipped cream, and chocolate chips.
Conclusion:
Ricotta Easter cake is a delicious and festive dessert that is perfect for any Easter celebration. With its light and fluffy texture and sweet, cheesy flavor, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. If you're looking for a special dessert to make this Easter, give ricotta Easter cake a try. You won't be disappointed!
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