Description
A rich and fluffy Italian-layered cake featuring creamy ricotta cheese and aromatic Amaretto, perfect for celebrations and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup Amaretto liqueur
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese (for frosting)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons Amaretto (or milk)
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (for frosting)
- Handful sliced almonds, toasted
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the ricotta, milk, Amaretto, and eggs to the butter-sugar mixture, and incorporate the vanilla and almond extracts. Mix on low speed until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet batter until no flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Beat the drained ricotta with the powdered sugar, Amaretto, and almond extract until thick and spreadable; chill if necessary.
- Assemble the cake by placing one cooled layer on a serving plate, brushing with Amaretto. Spread a third of the frosting on top, add the second layer, then coat top and sides with remaining frosting.
- Press toasted almonds around the edge and dust with powdered sugar. Chill for 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature. This cake can be made ahead, and its flavors improve overnight.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 90mg