Lemon ricotta cake
This moist lemon ricotta cake, topped with apricot preserves, offers a sunny presentation and pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert for any occasion.
Liam Carter 
Looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that feels like sunshine on a plate? This moist lemon ricotta cake is the ultimate make-ahead treat. Featuring a bright citrus profile and a stunning apricot preserve glaze, it serves as the perfect centerpiece for any gathering. It pairs beautifully with seasonal fruit like fresh peaches, nectarines, or berries.
Quick Facts
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes, plus cooling time.
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings.
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons (170 grams) salted butter, cubed and softened (plus extra for greasing)
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar (divided)
- 1 pound (454 grams) whole-milk ricotta, drained
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Grated zest and juice of 2 lemons (approx. 1/4 cup juice and 1 tablespoon zest)
- 1 1/2 cups (192 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Apricot jam (for topping)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10-inch springform pan and sprinkle the interior with 2 tablespoons of sugar.
- Mix: Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream the butter and 1 cup of sugar until pale. Add the ricotta and beat until fluffy, ensuring you scrape down the sides.
- Combine: Add the eggs, almond extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Beat on high speed for 5 minutes until fluffy; don't panic if the mixture looks separated.
- Incorporate: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until combined.
- Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared springform pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Finish: Let the cake cool on a wire rack before removing it from the pan. Warm the apricot jam (thinned with a little water if needed) and brush it in a thin layer across the top of the cake.
As noted in the original reporting from 205focus.com, this cake stays fresh and moist for days, making it an ideal candidate to bake a day or two before your event.
