Savory Cheese and Bacon Ring Cake

The savory cheese and bacon ring cake is a rustic and tasty dish that can be served as an appetizer or aperitif. Here is the recipe for preparing a delicious savory ring cake.

Ingredients

• 250 g of flour 00
• 100 ml of milk
• 100 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 packet of baking powder for savory cakes
• 150 g of bacon cut into cubes
• 100 g of grated cheese (parmesan, pecorino, or a mix of aged cheeses)
• 150 g of soft cheese (such as mozzarella, stracchino, or a spun curd cheese)
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and grease a ring cake pan with butter or oil.
2. In a pan, lightly fry the bacon until it becomes crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove the excess fat.
3. In a bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder, salt, and pepper.
4. In another bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and oil.
5. Combine the dry ingredients with the liquid ones, mixing with a whisk to avoid lumps.
6. Add the grated cheeses and the soft cheese cut into small pieces, then incorporate the bacon.
7. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and level the surface with a spatula.
8. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the ring cake is golden brown and cooked through (do the toothpick test).
9. Allow to cool slightly before unmolding onto a serving plate.

Trivia

The savory ring cake is a variant of classic ring-shaped sweets, reinterpreted in a savory key thanks to the addition of ingredients like cheeses and bacon. In Italy, each region has its versions of rustic cakes, and this ring cake can be considered a “fast” version of some more elaborate savory tarts. It can be enriched with aromatic herbs (such as rosemary or chives) or spices to give an extra kick to the flavor.