Best Sicilian Cake Recipes

SICILIAN CASSATA: RICOTTA CAKE

Steps:

• Place the ricotta into a fine mesh sieve and nestle this over a bowl, place into the refrigerator overnight to allow the excess moisture to drain out before proceeding with the cassata recipe.
• Place the ricotta into the bowl of a mixer and beat with the paddle attachment until the curds smooth out. Mix the drained and beaten ricotta with 1 cup powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, chocolate chips and half the candied fruit. Set aside.
• Lightly oil a 10-inch springform pan with canola oil. Slice the sponge cake very thinly so that the springform may be lined with it in an even layer. Line the sides and bottom of the pan with the sponge cake. Pour the ricotta filling into the cake-lined pan. Place a final layer of cake over the ricotta filling; this now creates the bottom to the cassata. Before serving, the cassata will be inverted onto this cake bottom. Refrigerate the cassata overnight to firm the filling.
• Invert the springform pan on a wide platter. Open the hinge and remove the springform sides and bottom.
• The cassata may now be finished by either covering with a heavy coating of the remaining powdered sugar or may be coated with a thin layer of green marzipan. Either way, the remaining candied fruits should be used to decorate the finished cassata. Slice thinly and serve.

SICILIAN CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING (CASSATA ALLA SICILIANA)

Steps:

• With a sharp, serrated knife, slice the end crusts off the pound cake and level the top if it is rounded. Cut the cake horizontally into 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick slabs.
• Rub the ricotta through a coarse sieve into a bowl with a wodden spoon and beat it with a rotary or electric beater until it is smooth. Beating constantly, add the cream, siugar and Strega.
• With a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped candied fruit and chocolate. Center the bottom slab of the cake on a flat plate and spread it generously with the ricotta mixture.
• Carefully place another slab of cake on top, keeping the sides and ends even, and spread some more ricotta. Repeat until all the cake slabs are reassembled and the filling has been used up- ending with a plain slice of cake on top.
• Gently press the loaf together to make it as compact as possible. Do not worry if it feels wobbly; chilling firms the loaf. Refrigerate the cassata for about 2 hours, or until the ricotta is firm.
• Chocolate Frosting:.
• Melt 12 oz. of chocolate with the coffee in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate has completely dissolved.
• Remove the pan from the heat and beat in the chilled butter, 1 piece at a time. Continue beating until the mixture is smooth. Then chill this frosting until it thickens to spreading consistency.
• With a small metal spatula, spread the frosting evenly over the top, sides and ends of the cassata, swirling it as decoratively as you can.
• Cover loosely with plastic wrap, wax paper or foil and let cassata "ripen" in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving it.

SICILIAN LOVE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven according to the cake mix directions. Coat a 9-by-13-inch pan with canola oil. Prepare the cake batter according to the cake mix directions, pour into the prepared pan and set aside.
• To make the filling: Combine the ricotta, mascarpone, eggs, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk until smooth. Gently pour the filling onto the cake pan of chocolate batter so the top is completely white. Bake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the chocolate layer has risen to the top, about 40 minutes. Let the cake cool completely.
• To make the frosting: Just before serving, blend together the mascarpone, milk, chocolate pudding mix and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth. Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting evenly over the cake and serve.

SICILIAN CREAM CAKE (CASSATA ALLA SICILIANA)

Steps:

• Combine ricotta, sugar, vanilla and liqueur in a bowl and blend thoroughly until smooth.
• Add chocolate and fruit; mix well.
• Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch spring form pan (or a large pan or bowl) with cake slices.
• Turn ricotta mixture into lined mold.
• Cover the top with remaining cake slices.
• Refrigerate overnight, or place in freezer for several hours.
• To serve: If you used a pan or bowl as a mold, invert pan/bowl onto a serving platter, and remove mold.
• Sprinkle (lightly sift) confectioner's sugar over cake.
• If you used a spring form pan, remove sides of pan, leaving cake on the pan bottom, place on serving platter, sift confectioner's sugar over cake.
• Variation: If you prefer, you can frost the cake with sweetened whipped cream flavored with a little almond extract.

SICILIAN PISTACHIO CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 275 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform baking pan, line the bottom with parchment and butter the parchment.
• Place pistachios in a food processor with 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Process until finely ground, but do not allow to turn into a paste. Transfer pistachios to a bowl, add starch and baking powder and whisk to blend ingredients.
• Beat eggs in an electric mixer with a balloon whisk until they start to lighten in color and thicken, a minute or so. Add remaining sugar in 3 portions, beating well after each addition. Beat in liqueur. Continue beating about 6 minutes more until the eggs are very pale in color and as thick as softly whipped cream.
• By hand, fold in the pistachio mixture in 3 portions. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean. Turn off oven and open oven door. Leave cake for 10 minutes. Turn it 180 degrees and let it sit in open oven another 10 minutes. Transfer to a baking rack and allow to cool completely. Dust top with sifted confectioners' sugar and decorate, if desired, with whole or coarsely chopped pistachios. Remove sides of pan. Cake is ready to serve. Slices should lift easily off the parchment.

SICILIAN POTATO CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Boil the potatoes whole, in their skins, in gently simmering water until tender - about 30-40 mins depending on size. Meanwhile, fry the pancetta cubes until golden.
• Drain the potatoes and set aside. Put the milk and most of the butter in the potato pan to warm. Peel the potatoes, cut into big chunks, then tip back into the pan with the milk. Mash them (as long as you've used a floury potato you will get a light and fluffy mash by using an electric hand whisk, or a masher). Mix in the pancetta, eggs, garlic and all of the other ingredients except the breadcrumbs and thyme.
• Use the remaining butter to butter the bottom and sides of a 23cm springform tin. Coat the inside of the tin with about ¾ of the breadcrumbs and fill with the potato mixture. Smooth down the surface and sprinkle with the remaining breadcrumbs, pressing them gently into the potato.
• Bake for about 1hr 10 mins until the potato cake is set, with a slight wobble in the middle. Let it rest for 5 mins then loosen from the sides with a knife before releasing the tin. Slide onto a plate and sprinkle with the thyme leaves. Serve hot or warm. Can be prepared up to the end of step 3 the night before and kept covered in the fridge.

SICILIAN POTATO-AND-EGG CAKE

Steps:

• Set a rimmed baking sheet on the top oven rack; preheat to 475 degrees F. Put the potatoes and 1 tablespoon water in a large microwave-safe bowl; cover with plastic wrap and pierce a few times with a knife to vent. Microwave until very tender, 10 to 13 minutes. Meanwhile, generously butter an 8-inch-round cake pan; sprinkle in 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs and shake to coat, then tap out the excess.
• Add 4 tablespoons butter and the parmesan to the potatoes; season with salt and pepper and mash. Gradually mash in the beaten eggs. Spread half of the mixture in the prepared pan; top with the provolone, peppers and parsley, leaving a 1-inch border. Top with the remaining potato mixture and smooth evenly. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs. Dot with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
• Set the pan on the hot baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden, about 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen, then unmold. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Meanwhile, toss the salad greens, olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Serve with the potato cake.

SICILIAN CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl with an electric beater, beat the ricotta and sugar until combined well. Add the heavy cream, vanilla, and rum and continue to beat until thick and smooth. Stir in the pineapple. Line the bottom and sides of a buttered 9-inch springform pan with some of the ladyfingers, top with one third of the filling, and cover with half the remaining ladyfingers. Add half the remaining filling, cover with the rest of the ladyfingers, and top with the last of the filling. Sprinkle with walnuts, chocolate chips, and glaceed cherries. Cover the cake with plastic and chill overnight. Run a knife around the inside of the pan and release the sides. Transfer the cake to a serving dish.

SICILIAN SPAGHETTI CAKE (PASTICCIO DI SPAGHETTI ALLA SIRACUSANA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Put a pot of water on to boil for cooking pasta. Combine tomatoes, olives, basil and capers in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and crushed red pepper (if using) and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add tomato mixture and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti (or vermicelli) in boiling salted water until al dente, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and rinse well. Add to sauce and mix well. Let cool to room temperature. Stir in Pecorino Romano. Brush the remaining 2 teaspoons oil over the bottom and sides of a heavy 10-inch ovenproof skillet. Heat the pan over medium heat. Remove from heat; add pasta mixture and press firmly into an even layer. Bake pasta until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Run a knife around the inside edge of the pan and invert the spaghetti cake onto a large platter. Cut into wedges and serve. TIPS & NOTES Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4. The pasta mixture will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Return to room temperature before proceeding.

SICILIAN LOVE CAKE RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven according to the cake mix directions. Coat a 9x13 inch pan with canola oil. Prepare the cake batter according to the cake mix directions, pour into the prepared pan and set aside. FILLING: Combine the ricotta, mascarpone, eggs, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk until smooth. Gently pour the filling onto the cake pan of chocolate batter so the top is completely white. Bake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the chocolate layer has risen to the top, about 40 minutes. Let the cake cool completely. FROSTING: Just before serving, blend together the mascarpone, milk, chocolate pudding mix and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth. Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting evenly over the cake and serve.

SICILIAN PIZZA CAKE

Steps:

• Coat the bottom and sides of an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mixes as directed; spread in the baking sheet, filling it about three-quarters of the way (you will have leftover batter).
• Bake the cake at 350 degrees F until a toothpick comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pan, then scrape off the top of the cake with a fork, leaving a border for the crust.
• Cut the fruit leather into 1 1/2-inch circles using a cookie cutter or kitchen shears and set aside. (If the strips are too narrow, roll them out slightly with a rolling pin before cutting.)
• Grate about 2 tablespoons of white chocolate into a bowl and set aside. Chop the remaining white chocolate.
• Microwave the chopped white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring, until smooth.
• Mix the preserves with 2 tablespoons of the melted white chocolate in another bowl ¿ this will make the sauce more opaque.
• Spread the strawberry sauce on the cake, inside the border.
• Top with spoonfuls of the remaining melted white chocolate, spreading each slightly with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle with the grated white chocolate.
• Use a kitchen torch to toast the melted white chocolate and the edges of the cake. Top with the fruit-leather circles.

EASY SICILIAN CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Cut the pound cake into 3 horizontal layers. (This is easier if you turn the cake on it's side).
• 2. Combine the ricotta, sugar and creme de cacao in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Fold in the chocolate chips and candied fruit.
• 3. Place the bottom cake layer on a serving dish. Spread half the ricotta mixture evenly over the layer. Place the second cake layer on top, and spread the remaining ricotta mixture evenly over the top. Place the third cake layer on top.
• 4. Combine the chocolate frosting with the creme de cacao. Spread on the cake. Sprinkle the decorations over the top.
• 5. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

SICILIAN RICOTTA CAKE

Steps:

• 1 Prepare the sponge cake, if necessary. Then, in a large bowl with a wire whisk, beat the ricotta, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth and creamy. Fold in the chocolate and orange peel. 2 Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread the ricotta mixture on top. Place the second cake layer over the filling. 3 For the decoration, crumble the almond paste into a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add one drop of the food coloring. Process until evenly tinted a light green, adding more color if needed. Remove the almond paste and shape it into a short thick log. 4 Cut the almond paste into 4 lengthwise slices. Place one slice between two sheets of wax paper. With a rolling pin, flatten it into a narrow ribbon 3 inches long and 1/8-inch thick. Unwrap and trim off any rough edges, reserving the scraps. Repeat with the remaining almond paste. The ribbons should be about the same width as the height of the cake. Wrap the almond paste ribbons end to end all around the sides of the cake, overlapping the ends slightly. 5 Gather the scraps of almond paste and reroll them. Cut into decorative shapes, such as stars, flowers, or leaves, with cookie cutters. 6 Prepare the icing: Whisk the egg whites, lemon zest, and juice. Add the confectioner's sugar and stir until smooth. 7 Spread the icing evenly over the top of the cake. Decorate the cake with the almond paste cutouts and the candied fruits. Cover with a large overturned bowl and refrigerate until serving time, up to 8 hours. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.