RICOTTA NUT TORTE

Ricotta Nut Torte image

This pretty layered Italian cake is called cassata. It takes some time to prepare this eye-catching dessert but it conveniently chills overnight.-Karen Albert, Prineville, Oregon

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

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Ingredients

2 cartons (15 ounces each) ricotta cheese
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans
1 milk chocolate candy bar (7 ounces), grated
BATTER:
2/3 cup shortening
1-2/3 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups 2% milk
FROSTING:
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whole hazelnuts and chocolate curls, optional

Steps:

For filling, in a small bowl, beat ricotta cheese and sugar until smooth; beat in vanilla. Fold in pecans and chocolate. Cover and refrigerate., In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. , Pour into three waxed paper-lined 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., Cut each cake in half. Place one bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup filling. Repeat layers four times. Top with remaining cake. Cover and refrigerate overnight. , In a large bowl, beat cream until thickened. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Spread over top and sides of cake. Garnish with hazelnuts and chocolate curls if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 836 calories, Fat 47g fat (21g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 424mg sodium, Carbohydrate 92g carbohydrate (69g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 16g protein.