Lemon Ricotta Cake
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1 hour + chilling Bake: 30 min. + cooling
YIELD: 16 servings.
This lemon ricotta cake recipe is a family gem that was passed down from my grandmother and mother. Garnished with shaved lemon zest, the moist four-layer cake is the perfect dessert when you want to impress. —Nanette Slaughter, Sammamish, Washington
Ingredients
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3 large eggs, room temperature
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2 large egg yolks, room temperature
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2/3 cup sugar
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1/3 cup lemon juice
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1/3 cup butter, cubed
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CAKE BATTER:
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1 cup butter, softened
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2 cups sugar
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3 large eggs, room temperature
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1 cup ricotta cheese
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1 cup buttermilk
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1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
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1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon lemon juice
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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SUGARED LEMON ZEST:
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6 medium lemons
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1/4 cup sugar
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FROSTING:
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2/3 cup butter, softened
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5-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
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1/3 cup 2% milk
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1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
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1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1/8 teaspoon salt
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Colored sugar, optional
Directions
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1.
For lemon curd, in a small bowl, combine eggs and egg yolks. In a heavy saucepan, cook and stir the sugar, lemon juice and butter over medium heat until smooth. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into eggs; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool slightly. Cover and chill until thickened, about 1-1/2 hours or overnight.
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2.
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the ricotta cheese, buttermilk, lemon zest, vanilla and lemon juice. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk mixture, beating well after each addition.
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3.
Pour into 2 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
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4.
Using a citrus zester, remove zest from lemons in long narrow strips; toss with sugar. Let stand for 30 minutes. (Save fruit for another use.) Meanwhile, to make the frosting, in a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, grated lemon zest, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth.
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5.
Cut each cake in half horizontally. Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Pipe a circle of frosting around edge of cake. Spread a third of the lemon curd inside frosting. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides. If desired, pipe a decorative border of frosting using a star tip, and decorate sides of cake with colored sugar. Garnish with lemon zest strips. Store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts
1 piece: 657 calories, 27g fat (16g saturated fat), 172mg cholesterol, 370mg sodium, 98g carbohydrate (77g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
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