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Cake with Ricotta and Pears

17/11/2023

The cake with ricotta and pears is a delicious dessert that combines the softness of ricotta with the sweet and slightly tart flavor of pears. Here’s how to make this tempting cake.

Ingredients

For the base:

  • 125 g of all-purpose flour
  • 100 g of cold butter, cubed
  • 50 g of powdered sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • A pinch of salt
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon

For the filling:

  • 250 g of ricotta cheese
  • 100 g of granulated sugar
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (cornflour)
  • 3-4 ripe but firm pears
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Powdered sugar for decorating (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the shortcrust pastry: in a bowl, combine the flour, butter, powdered sugar, egg yolk, salt, and lemon zest. Work the ingredients quickly until you have a homogeneous mixture.

  2. Form a ball with the dough, wrap it in cling film, and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

  3. In the meantime, prepare the filling: In a bowl, whisk the ricotta with the sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, incorporating well after each addition, then mix in the cornstarch to obtain a uniform cream.

  4. Peel the pears, cut them in half, remove the cores, and slice them thinly. Drizzle the pear slices with lemon juice to prevent oxidation.

  5. Take the pastry out of the refrigerator and roll it out in a previously buttered and floured pie dish, creating a high edge. Prick the bottom with the tines of a fork.

  6. Arrange a layer of pear slices on the bottom of the cake, pour the ricotta mixture over it, and finish with another layer of pear slices on the surface.

  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C (350 °F) for about 40-50 minutes or until the cake is golden and the ricotta is well cooked.

  8. Let the cake cool completely before removing it from the pie dish. If desired, dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Curiosity

The cake with ricotta and pears is typical of Campania’s cuisine, particularly from the Amalfi Coast area, where the cultivation of pears and the production of ricotta are strong elements of the local gastronomic tradition. This cake is a delightful way to celebrate the simplicity and goodness of the products from this terroir.

Cake with Ricotta and Pears