Description
Ricotta Cake (Budino di Ricotta) is a soft and creamy Italian-style dessert with a delicate custard-like texture, bright lemon flavor, and a touch of cinnamon warmth. This elegant cake is lightly sweet, simple to prepare, and delicious served warm or chilled with a dusting of icing sugar.
Ingredients
- 500 g ricotta cheese, well drained
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 250 g granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Finely grated zest of 2 lemons
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon butter, for greasing the tin
- 1 tablespoon flour, for dusting the tin
- 2 tablespoons icing sugar, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Grease a 25 cm round cake tin with butter and dust lightly with flour.
- Place the ricotta in a large bowl and mash until smooth.
- Add the egg yolks and beat until creamy.
- Stir in the flour, sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the ricotta mixture in two or three additions, being careful not to overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and smooth the top.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, or until lightly golden and set in the center.
- Allow the cake to cool slightly before removing from the tin.
- Dust with icing sugar and serve warm, chilled, or at room temperature.
Notes
- Drain watery ricotta before using to help the cake set properly.
- Whole-milk ricotta gives the richest and creamiest texture.
- Orange zest can replace lemon zest for a sweeter citrus flavor.
- Mini chocolate chips add extra richness and texture.
- Gluten-free flour can be substituted if needed.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Freeze slices wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.
- A slight sinking in the center is normal for ricotta-based cakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
