Best 4 Zuccotto Alla Ricotta Recipes

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Zuccotto alla ricotta is a traditional Italian dessert, which is popular all over the world. It combines the flavors of sponge cake and sweet ricotta filling. Its origins trace back to the late 1800s in the city of Florence. Zuccotto alla ricotta is now a classic dessert often served at special occasions, such as Easter and Christmas. The dessert is recognizable by its distinctive shape, which resembles a dome.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ZUCCOTTO



Zuccotto image

For this classic Tuscan dessert, we cover the dome -- sponge cake filled with whipped cream, fresh raspberries, toasted hazelnuts, and bits of toffee -- with chocolate ganache, and then creme anglaise.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 11

Vanilla Sponge Cake for Zuccotto
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup framboise or other raspberry liqueur (If omitting liqueur, substitute 1/4 cup water)
2 cups chilled heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
4 ounces hazelnuts, plus more for garnish
4 ounces coarsely chopped chocolate-covered toffee bars, such as Skor or Heath, plus more for garnish
1 pint raspberries, plus more for garnish
Chocolate Ganache Icing
Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise Sauce

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place hazelnuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; toast until skins begin to split, about 10 minutes. Rub warm nuts vigorously with a clean kitchen towel to remove skins. Return to baking sheet; toast until fragrant and golden brown, about 1 minute more. Cool; coarsely chop. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water, and liqueur if using. Bring to a boil; stir until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat; set aside to cool completely. Line a 9-by-5-inch domed metal or glass bowl with plastic wrap.
  • Cut rectangular sponge cake into thirds crosswise and lengthwise, making 9 rectangles. Reserve round sponge cake layer to use on top. Cut each rectangle diagonally in half, forming 18 triangles. Brush both sides of each triangle with some syrup. Line inside of bowl with triangle slices, pointed ends facing bottom of bowl, to form a sunburst pattern. Fit slices snugly so bowl is completely lined. Use small pieces of syrup-brushed cake to fill in gaps. Trim the cake top to make it even. Transfer lined bowl to refrigerator.
  • Place cream and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium until stiff, about 3 minutes. Gently fold in reserved nuts, toffee, and raspberries. Remove lined bowl from refrigerator, fill with cream mixture, and cover top with cake round. This will become bottom of zuccotto when unmolded. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.
  • Place a wire rack on top of bowl, and invert zuccotto onto rack. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Remove bowl and plastic wrap. Using a ladle, pour ganache over top of dome, letting excess drip down sides onto rack. Make sure to coat entire surface of the zuccotto. Cut into wedges. Ladle with creme anglaise. Serve immediately, garnishedwith chopped toffee, nuts, and berries.

ZUCCOTTO



Zuccotto image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     dessert

Time 3h35m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Nonstick cooking spray
1 (12-ounce) loaf pound cake
1/4 cup brandy
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups chilled whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted, coarsely crumbled
Unsweetened cocoa powder

Steps:

  • Spray a 1 1/2-quart bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bowl with plastic wrap. Cut the pound cake crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Cut each slice diagonally in half, forming 2 triangles. Line the bottom and sides of the prepared bowl with the cake triangles. Brush some of the brandy over the cake triangles lining the bowl. Reserve the extra triangles.
  • Stir the chocolate in a large metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Allow the chocolate to cool slightly. Using an electric mixer, beat 1 cup of cream in another large bowl until it is thick and fluffy. Fold 1/4 of the whipped cream into the chocolate. Fold half of the remaining whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Fold in the remaining whipped cream. Spread the chocolate cream over the cake, covering completely and creating a well in the center. Cover and refrigerate if not assembling cake right away.
  • In another clean large bowl, add the remaining 1 cup of cream and almond extract. Using an electric mixer with clean beaters, beat on medium speed and gradually add the powdered sugar. Beat until firm peaks form. Fold in the nuts. Spoon the cream mixture into the center of the well of the filling.
  • Brush the remaining cake slices with brandy and arrange them, brandy side down, over the cake, covering the filling completely and trimming to fit, if necessary. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
  • Invert the cake onto a platter. Remove the bowl and the plastic wrap. Sift the cocoa powder over and serve.

ZUCCOTTO



Zuccotto image

Provided by Jonathan Reynolds

Categories     dessert

Time 6h15m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Vegetable spray
10 ounces sponge cake, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
3 tablespoons liqueur (Grand Marnier, Benedictine, framboise)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh ricotta
6 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
1/2 cup almonds, toasted and chopped
1/4 cup mixed candied fruit, chopped
1 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
2 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Steps:

  • Spray a 1 1/2-quart bowl lightly with vegetable spray. Line bottom and sides with cake, ensuring a tight fit to completely encase the filling. Sprinkle with liqueur and set aside.
  • Whip cream until it holds soft peaks. Separately, beat ricotta and sugar until smooth, about 3 minutes. Fold together whipped cream and ricotta. Fold in half the nuts and candied fruit. Pour half the mixture over the cake. Make a well in the center large enough to hold the remaining cream mixture.
  • Thoroughly blend remaining cream mixture with chocolate and cocoa powder, then spoon mixture into the well left in Step 2. Sprinkle remaining nuts on top, cover lightly with plastic wrap and freeze until very firm, at least 6 hours.
  • Fifteen minutes before serving, remove from freezer and invert onto a plate. Slice and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 494, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Fat 30 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 131 milligrams, Sugar 22 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CHERRY, CHOCOLATE, AND PISTACHIO ZUCCOTTO



Cherry, Chocolate, and Pistachio Zuccotto image

Leftover panettone can be put to great use! Here is my recipe for cherry, chocolate, and pistachio 'zuccotto'. Using ricotta, vin santo, and candied fruits, this is sure to deliver an authentic Italian experience, and even better, there is no cooking involved!

Provided by NazarBlue

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes

Time 8h31m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (1 pound) loaf panettone
1 (16 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 (8.8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese
⅓ cup chopped pistachio nuts
⅓ cup mixed candied fruit
¼ cup white sugar
1 (2 ounce) bar dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
½ (15 ounce) can cherries, syrup reserved
1 cup vin santo (Italian dessert wine), or as needed
3 (1 ounce) squares dark chocolate, broken into pieces

Steps:

  • Line a large bowl with plastic wrap to make a mold.
  • Slice 1/2 inch off the top and bottom of the panettone. Cut another horizontal slice off the top. Slice remaining panettone vertically; cut each vertical slice in half.
  • Mix ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, pistachio nuts, candied fruit, sugar, and dark chocolate together to make the filling. Mix in cherries to create a marbled effect.
  • Lay the top panettone slice in the bottom of the mold. Sprinkle vin santo on top. Arrange vertical halves around the side of the bowl, overlapping slightly if needed. Sprinkle with more vin santo. Spoon 1/2 the ricotta mixture into the center, smoothing into corners using the back of a spoon. Lay second panettone slice on top; sprinkle with vin santo. Add remaining ricotta mixture, again smoothing down with the spoon. Cover with the bottom slice. Drizzle more vin santo and reserved cherry syrup on top.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and place a plate on top. Add bags of beans to press down on zuccotto. Refrigerate until set, 8 hours to overnight.
  • Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 15-second intervals, stirring after each melting, 1 to 3 minutes.
  • Invert zuccotto onto a serving plate and peel off plastic wrap. Drizzle melted chocolate over the top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 506 calories, Carbohydrate 56.1 g, Cholesterol 48.2 mg, Fat 25.9 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 10.2 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 214.6 mg, Sugar 30.3 g

Tips:

  • To make sure the cake doesn't stick to the pan, grease and flour the pan thoroughly before pouring in the batter.
  • When baking the cake, keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't overcook. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when the cake is done.
  • To make the ricotta filling, use whole milk ricotta cheese for the best flavor and texture. Make sure the ricotta is drained well before mixing it with the other ingredients.
  • When assembling the zuccotto, place the ladyfingers around the sides of the pan in a single layer, with the sugar side facing inward. This will help to keep the filling in place.
  • When chilling the zuccotto, cover it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
  • To decorate the zuccotto, you can use a variety of toppings, such as whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries.

Conclusion:

Zuccotto alla ricotta is a delicious and impressive dessert that is perfect for any special occasion. With its moist sponge cake, creamy ricotta filling, and elegant presentation, this cake is sure to be a hit with your guests. So next time you're looking for a dessert to wow your friends and family, give zuccotto alla ricotta a try. You won't be disappointed!

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