Chances are you like ricotta. And chances are you mainly enjoy it with pasta.
But have you tried it in cake?
Yes? Then you know the treat you’re in for.
No? Get ready…
This lemon cake, which starts with a box mix (you read that right) and ends with a layer of creamy sweetened lemon scented ricotta, will answer all your prayers for a quick dessert that tastes like you spent. some. time.
This recipe was a gift I received a long time ago from an Italian cooking class I took as a very young lady. Like early 30’s young lady…Oh my.
It’s a recipe that the chef prepared for a lot of people – for many years – which means it has stood the test of time.
She fed a lot of happy full noisy people who clamored for something a little sweet at the end of their big dinner. A meal that likely included antipasti, a cup of minestrone, a couple glasses of wine, a bowl of gnocchi and a side of beef braciole.
This lovely lemon ricotta cake in all its light tender splendor was a typical offering.
And along with its pleasing flavor it’s a dessert that can be prepared in the time it takes to set the table, pour the wine, fluff your hair and apply your lipstick. Lip gloss. Lip stain..whatever we’re calling it these days.
The point is… It’s delectable. It’s quick. And it’s easy.
I enjoyed my piece with a nice cup of strong black coffee. Mmmm. But it would be just as lovely with a steaming cup of tea or a spot of Sambuca.
Buon Appetito!
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Lemon Ricotta Cake
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 lemon cake mix
- 1 lb. ricotta
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. lemon extract
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Confectioners’ sugar to sprinkle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Grease and flour a glass 9 x 13 pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare lemon cake as directed on box.
- In a separate medium-sized bowl, using a hand mixer, combine the ricotta, sugar, eggs, and both extracts.
- Pour the cake batter into the pan then pour the ricotta mixture over top.
- Bake for 45 – 55 minutes (depending on your oven). Check that it’s finished using a toothpick.
- Allow cake to cool.
- Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.
- Serve.
Ciao!
Wow, this cake looks great! It looks so soft, and I bet the ricotta keeps it so moist. Yum!
Mm-hmmm. Super moist! Thanks Rachel!
Hello, Annie! I love that you’ve combined a box mix with your own ricotta topping. I actually haven’t ever used ricotta in a sweet dish, but now I know I’m really missing out!
Hi Helen! I know…it’s a neat recipe…so simple yet still delivering homemade flavor. Thanks for stopping by!
This cake looks wonderful!
Thanks Amanda!!
I have not tried it in cake!! But I will now 🙂 And I love the lemon to break up all the pumpkin and pecan desserts traditionally baked in this season! Mouth watering. Pinned!
Sometimes we just need to shake it up a little bit! Would love to know what you think! Thanks Lindsey!!
OMG!!!!!!!! I love how delish this looks!!!!!! I’ve never tried ricotta in a cake before and now all I want to do is run to the kitchen and make a batch of this beauty!!!!! *drooling alert* <3
Thank you Samina!! It’s a light & lovely dessert! 🙂
Isn’t that just pretty as a picture!!!!! I love ricotta cakes with their gentle sweetness, and you really have appealed to me with this lovely one.
Why thank you!! 🙂
I’ve made ricotta cake with strawberries before but not a lemon cake! They look just like lemon bars, just a bit thicker. Pinning this for later!
Oooh – strawberries – that sounds fabulous! Thanks for the pin, Lisa! Have a lovely weekend!
This cake looks so bright and lemony Annie! I love the colour! I’ve never actually used ricotta in baking before. I’ll have to try this cake, it looks lovely!
Thank you Stacey! Enjoy!
Ricotta is just magical in baked goods — it makes everything so moist! This cake looks so perfectly lemony…delicious!
It sure is! Thanks Marcie!
This looks so delicious, Annie! You had me at lemon and ricotta. And just so I’m clear, the ricotta ends up on the bottom, but you start with it on top? Or do you flip the cake over?
Hi Andrea! Good question…yep – you are correct, it starts on the top and ends up at the bottom (after baking). There is no flipping involved. 🙂 Buon Appetito!
I absolutely love lemon desserts and seriously would not be able to resist a few slices of this. It looks so moist and full of lemon goodness! Love the ricotta in here and the color is gorgeous!
Thanks dear. It is such a pretty cake…very moist and yummy!
I love ricotta in cakes!!! This cake looks absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to try it! Pinning!
Thanks so much Olivia! Enjoy! 🙂
Awesome recipe Annie! Love the photo! What restaurant have you had the best Lemon Ricotta Cake? Remember to add it to your Besty List! http://www.thebesty.com/ciaochowbambina
Thanks Julia! Ooooh – I will do that!
This looks so moist inside. Wishing I could just reach through the screen and grab a big slice.. ok 2 of them! YUM!
You sound like me…2 big slices for sure! Thank you Pamela!!
I love lemon in desserts and this looks incredible Annie, like I can smell the lemony flavor through my screen…mmmm! The best part is that it’s so easy to make, I will have to give this a try! Pinned.
It’s really incredible what a little bit of lemon can do to a recipe…just brightens it right up! Thanks Manali! Have a lovely weekend!
This cake looks perfect! Beautiful texture and bright yellow color, I just want to taste it right now! Pinned!
Thank you Mira! It’s one of our favorites! 🙂
That cake looks delicious. I was waiting to see that very last picture as I scrolled down. You can almost taste it. The cake layer looks moist and lemony yellow and then you have the bonus ricotta layer on the bottom. I have to make this…I only wish I had more people living at my house because I’ll eat the whole glorious thing!
Thanks Karen! Oh yes…this is your kind of dessert. And I think I have an answer to your problem…your neighbors would be happy to share(!) or you could just eat the whole glorious thing!! 😉
I’ve never tried ricotta in a cake before, so I’m very intrigued! I love how delicious this looks, Annie! So moist and flavorful. Can’t wait to try this!
It’s worth a try! It’s just such a nice dessert when you’re looking for something light and bright tasting! I think you’ll really like it! Thanks Gayle!
This is gorgeous and so moist looking. Love the ricotta.
Thanks Kathleen! It’s very moist…you will love it!
What a great gift! An Italian cooking class – would love to take one of those. With all the Italian restaurants that are pretty darn good here in Buffalo, you’d think that would be easy! But I’ve never heard of such a thing. This cake looks divine – and even better, looks like you slaved over all day. Lemon is my favorite flavor of dessert too, with that cup of coffee of course =)
You know…I got very lucky! The chef came from a hopping little hotspot from back in the day and I got wind of the class she was offering. I came away with some really authentic recipes and tips and tricks in the kitchen. Oh man…the foodie scene in Buffalo is quite good! Thanks for stopping by Laura! Have a great weekend!