Let the sweet layers of ricotta, fruit, and chocolate bring you on a Sicilian vacation with Cassata Cake!
From the crystal blue waters of Sicily comes the magnificent Cassata Cake. Dating back to the 10th century, this regal cake was a treat for the elite of the region. It’s easy to see why this dish caught on with royalty—as the decadent dish involves a variety of high-end ingredients. Taking a bite, you can almost smell the Mediterranean Sea casting waves outside your window as you raise a glass to the elegance of this special dessert.
Cassata Cake combines flavors of ricotta, cinnamon, wine, and chocolate in its layers of soft and sugary deliciousness. Traditionally, the cake is adorned with a variety of fruits—ours calls for cherries and strawberries for garnish. The special ingredient—Marsala wine—cuts the sweetness and adds a lightly acidic and alcoholic bite. Together, the layers of flavors play off one another perfectly for a final product fit for a royal.
This cake can play the next starring role of your special occasion, such as a birthday, anniversary, or just the cherry on top of a long week. You’ll enjoy the moist layers of cake, cream, and chocolate that complete the dessert. The best part is that all of the ingredients can be found easily in your local grocery store. Also, the recipe calls for elevating a basic white or yellow cake mix. The Cassata Cake proves that you don’t need to be overly complicated to be impressive.
Ricotta For Dessert
Step aside lasagna; ricotta cheese not only adds moisture to this dish, but it provides creaminess and density as well. Ricotta cheese, which is also incorporated in cannoli or cheesecake, is an essential part of the rich Cassata Cake. When assembling the layers, the ricotta cheese is mixed with chocolate chips, vanilla, and cinnamon. The cheese serves as the “glue” which holds this recipe together. Since the ricotta has a mild flavor, it works well to allow the flavors of fruit to come through in the final dessert.
Choosing a high-quality ricotta that is “low moisture” will help elevate the result of your cake and keep it from losing shape. You can find ricotta cheese in the dairy section of your grocery store, typically near the yogurt or sour cream. After preparing your ricotta filling, it’s important to allow the mixture to chill for two hours before assembling your cake. Doing so allows all flavors to incorporate and for the ricotta to have a better integrity for keeping the cake together. Unsung hero and champion of the dish, ricotta cheese, makes the cake!
How to Make Ahead and Store?
The appeal of Cassata Cake is its layers of moist and delicious cake, so it is best to enjoy and savor quickly. After assembly, the cake is best stored in plastic wrap in the fridge. Ideally, the cake should be consumed within 24 – 48 hours of baking; the sooner, the better. After refrigerating, allow the cake to come to room temperature before slicing.
How Do I Frost The Cake?
When frosting your Cassata Cake, use a level rubber spatula to smooth out the edges and a brush to add the layer of wine or rum before the ricotta mixture. You can use a cake stand for presentation and easier assembly. Frosting the cake one layer at a time will help keep the integrity of your structured cake.
Serving Suggestions
Cassata Cake has traditionally been a celebratory dessert! Bring it to your next anniversary, dinner party, date night, or holiday get-together. Make your cake part of an Italian-inspired spread with Skillet Lasagna, Cheesy Baked Ziti, or Tortellini Salad. You can complement your dessert with espresso, coffee, tea, or perhaps the rest of the Marsala wine from the recipe. Celebrate this extravagant but well-put-together dessert and take a second to thank Italy for sharing this unique cake with the world.
Cassata Cake
Ingredients
- 2 lbs whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 layers of white or yellow cake 9-inch rounds
- 1/4 cup light rum or Marsala wine
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 tbsp light rum or Marsala wine
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the ricotta filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Mix until well blended.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips gently into the ricotta mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Slice each cake layer horizontally to create four thin layers. In a small bowl, mix together the rum or Marsala wine with water.
- Brush each cake layer with the rum mixture, ensuring even coverage for flavor.
- Spread one-third of the ricotta filling over the first cake layer. Top with the second layer and repeat the process until all layers are stacked, finishing with a layer of cake.
- In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with 1/3 cup of powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of rum or Marsala until stiff peaks form.
- Frost the top and sides of the cake with the whipped cream frosting.
- Decorate the top of the cake with fresh strawberries, Maraschino cherries, and chocolate shavings.
- Chill the cake for at least 3 hours before serving to allow it to set properly.
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