Ricotta and Orange Cake

The ricotta and orange cake is a delicious dessert that combines the freshness of citrus with the creaminess of ricotta. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 300 g of ricotta
• 3 eggs
• 200 g of sugar
• Grated zest of 1 untreated orange
• Juice of 1 orange
• 200 g of type 00 flour
• 1 packet of baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• Butter and flour for the cake tin
• Powdered sugar for decorating (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F) and prepare a cake tin by buttering and lightly flouring it.
2. In a large bowl, mix the ricotta with the sugar until you obtain a smooth mixture.
3. Separate the yolks from the whites. Add the yolks to the ricotta and sugar mixture and mix well.
4. Add the grated orange zest and juice to the mixture.
5. Add the sifted flour and baking powder, mixing from bottom to top to avoid deflating the mixture.
6. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff.
7. Gently fold the whipped whites into the mixture to avoid deflating them.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and level it with a spatula.
9. Bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Allow the cake to cool slightly before unmolding and dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Curiosity

Ricotta is a versatile ingredient in Italian pastry, starring in traditional desserts like Sicilian cassata and cannoli. The addition of orange gives a touch of freshness and lightness to the dessert, making it ideal in any season.

If you’d like an additional touch, you could consider adding chocolate chips into the batter or decorating the cake with caramelized orange slices for a contrast of flavor and texture. Buon appetito!