Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe

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You are going to love my Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe. This rich, moist cake is an easy cake recipe filled with rich lemon flavor and creamy ricotta that is an authentic Italian treat – made right in your kitchen. This easy lemon ricotta cake may look plain, but the taste is out of this world! An Italian cheesecake if you will! Plus I provide adjustments for high altitude.

Classic Italian Tiramisu and cannoli are what most people think of when it comes to Italian desserts. This Lemon Ricotta Cake recipe is another traditional Italian cake you can find all over Italy. The recipe originated in Sicily, but often, the recipes are varied according to the region. No matter where you find it, boy, is it amazingly moist, with a dense, but fluffy texture making it the perfect dessert for spring and summer. 

Lemon dessert recipes are all the rage in the spring and summer. If you love the buttery texture of a delicious lemony dessert as much as I do, try my Old Fashioned Lemon Squares, No Bake Lemon Icebox Pie Recipe or some berry good Lemon Cranberry Bars. Learn more about lemons in this installment of Fresh Fridays called Fun Facts About Lemons.

Welcome to #LemonWeek 2022, hosted by Lynn from Fresh April Flours and Rebecca from Devour Dinner. This week is sponsored by Rodelle and La Tourangelle. I received product samples from these sponsors to help create my recipes. All opinions are my own. Come join my fellow Lemon Week bloggers and me as we bring you recipes from appetizers to drinks to entrées and lemon desserts!

Today is the last day of lemon week, be sure to check out all of my lemony posts, Lemonade Bundt Cake, Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail, One Pot Lemon Garlic Pasta, and Lemon Dump Cake. And browse the end of each post for all of the other blogger’s luscious lemon entries!

Healthy Twist

Lemon benefits – Not only are lemons rich in vitamin C, but they are loaded with fiber and may help with heart, liver, and kidney health. Plus , these ingredients are whole and all natural!

Simple Ingredients

The full list of basic ingredients and directions are in the printable recipe card at the end of the post. For best results bring all ingredients to room temperature.

• Butter | Room temperature butter will mix easier and yields that creamy texture, I use salted butter, but you can also use unsalted butter, just add additional ⅛ teaspoon of salt.
• Sugar | I like to use all-natural cane sugar, but regular white sugar is just fine.
• Ricotta Cheese | Whole milk ricotta with full fat for that creamy cheesecake texture – from the grocery store is perfect. Plus it tends to be less watery, see notes about straining if yours if watery.
• Eggs | Bring large eggs to room temperature before adding them in, if you forgot, simply immerse eggs in bowl with warm (not hot) water for 5-7 minutes.
• Sour Cream | You can also use Greek yogurt instead to add an even more tangy flavor.
• Rodelle Vanilla Extract | Pure vanilla wakes up the lemon and other flavors in the ricotta cake. 
• Lemons | Get the most out of those fresh lemons and use both the juice and the fresh lemon zest. And fresh lemon juice is always the best!
• Baking Soda and Kosher Salt | Key ingredients for any cake recipe.
• All-Purpose Flour | I use organic, unbleached all-purpose flour.

Rodelle Vanilla 

Rodelle Pure Vanilla Extract is hand-crafted with the highest-quality Bourbon vanilla beans. And it is Gluten Free! I love the richness of Rodelle vanilla products!

La Tourangelle Baking Spray

La Tourangelle baking spray is gluten-free and all-natural with only 2 ingredients- oil and lecithin. This quality baking spray makes your cakes come out without sticking and no chemical additives. Unlike other non-stick sprays that occasionally still stick, La Tourangelle does not! Cakes, cupcakes, quick breads come out clean every time!

How to Make this Traditional Italian Cake

Start with a 350 degree F preheated oven and use baking spray or butter to grease the springform pan. I also line my pan with a round of parchment paper. Then dust the greased pan with powdered sugar or with a light dusting of flour. I used a 9″ springform pan because it releases from the edges so well.

In a large bowl of your stand mixer (or in a large mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer), on medium speed cream the wet ingredients, starting with the room temperature butter, adding in the sugar, and scraping the sides with a rubber spatula. Beat well about 2-4 minutes.

Add ricotta cheese and sour cream and blend until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.

Now add the eggs one at a time; then the vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the mixing bowl and cream. 

In a medium bowl, add the dry ingredients and whisk. That way, there are no clumps of salt or soda. Add the flour mixture into the mixer a scant one cup at a time on low speed.

Now you are ready to add the lemon ricotta cake batter to the prepared pan, place it in the oven and bake until golden.

When the cake is perfectly cooked and golden, take the cake out of the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before you remove the pan’s collar.

Finally, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar. A fine colander works well to sift the sugar and allow it to sprinkle evenly on the cake.

You can serve the cake warm or cooled, and be sure to top it with your favorite toppings. Try fresh whipped cream with some fresh lemon zest and your favorite berries.

Fresh Tip | Getting the most out of your lemons

Here are my best tips for zesting and juicing lemons. Keep in mind that each lemon yields approximately 2 ½ – 3 tablespoons of lemony tart juice.

• Zesting Lemons | It is much easier to zest your lemons before cutting them in half to juice them. Wash and dry lemons before zesting, and do not zest too far down; the white part called the pith is bitter.
• Juicing Lemons | To get more juice from your lemon, place the lemon on a cutting board or counter and firmly roll with the palm of your hand until it starts to yield slightly. You can also try putting lemon in the microwave for about 10 seconds, then roll and squeeze.

Variations & Substitutions

• Flavorings | You can change the recipe for your taste like they do in Italy by switching the vanilla to almond extract for a delicious almond ricotta cake. Also, consider adding Amaretto or Frangelico to the cake batter for a nice twist.
• Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Cake | Add fresh or frozen berries tossed in a tablespoon of the flour mixture and then hand fold into the batter. The flour will help them not sink to the pan’s bottom when baking.
• Rhubarb Ricotta Cake | during rhubarb season this would be a fabulous add in, keep the lemons and add 1-1 ½ cups of chopped rhubarb that has been tossed in some of the flour mixture. Try my Rhubarb Bread or rhubarb cake too!
• Sugar Crust | Sprinkle coarse sugar (like demerara) on top before baking for a crunchy sweet crust on top of the cake.
• Toppings | Forgo the powdered sugar and instead add a lemon glaze to the warm cake. Mix together 1 cup powdered sugar and 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice. Or you could also top with a dollop of lemon curd.
• Fresh Fig & Ricotta Cake | Try this Barefoot Contessa version of a ricotta cake. Keep the lemon juice and zest in there and before baking, quarter 8 large figs through the stem (stems removed) and arrange the fresh figs on the cake, cut sides up. A delicious way to use fresh figs!

Equipment

The only true special equipment you need is a springform pan, use an 8 or 9 inch springform pan.

However, an off-set spatula, a powdered sugar shaker and a cake server will come in handy as well!

High Altitude Adjustments

• Reduce sugar to 1 ¼ cups
• Increase all-purpose flour by 3 tablespoons
• Bake as directed

Gluten-Free Easy Ricotta Cake

This recipe will adapt well to be gluten free. Replace the regular flour with half Gluten-Free All-purpose flour (I like King Arthur Measure for Measure or Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1) and the other half with GF almond flour. It will yield a moist crumb and a delicious gluten-free lemon ricotta cake.

Storage Tips

Store on the counter wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Refrigerate for up to 7 days and may be frozen for 3 months.

Freezing: You can freeze your lemon ricotta cheesecake for around 2 months! Just make sure you cool the cake completely, then wrap it well in plastic wrap and seal it in an airtight container or a zippered freezer bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Italian Recipes for an Authentic Italian Meal

1. Grandpa Frank’s Spaghetti Sauce | Authentic Italian Pasta Sauce
2. Easy Italian Wedding Soup
3. One Pan Tuscan Chicken in Parmesan Cream Sauce
4. Italian Braised Short Ribs
5. Penne alla Vodka | The Best Vodka Sauce Recipe
6. Italian Pizza Rustica
7. Best Italian Pasta Salad

And that’s Italian – from my kitchen to yours!

Did you love this recipe? Be sure to pop below the recipe card and give it a 5 star rating and comment! I love hearing from my readers.

Check out all of our great final entries for Lemon Week below.

Friday #LemonWeek Recipes

• Lemon Poppy Seed Sweet Rolls by Fresh April Flours
• Grilled Chicken Piccata by Palatable Pastime
• Creamy Lemon Smoothie Recipe by Blogghetti
• Gluten Free Lemon Bars by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Lemon Tarragon Salmon by Art Of Natural Living
• Meyer Lemon Vanilla Shortbread Cookies by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
• Lemon Poppy Seed Thumb Print Cookies by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Lemon Pasta by Devour Dinner
• Lemon Blueberry Cookies by Best Cookie Recipes
• Lemon Tea Bread by The Freshman Cook
• Homemade Lemon Cake by Simply Inspired Meals
• Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake by The Fresh Cooky
• Lemony Shrimp Pasta by A Day In The Life On The Farm
• Rosemary Watermelon Lemonade by The Spiffy Cookie
• Lemon Crumb Muffins with Lemon Glaze by An Affair From The Heart
• Lemon Poppy Seed Cake by Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
• Ina Garten’s Lemon Chicken by Jen Around The World
• Lemon Ice Cream by Lemon Blossoms
• Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake by Home Cooked Harvest
• Grilled Lemon Herb Flatbread by That Recipe
• Lemon Meringue Cheesecake by The Redhead Baker
• Oven Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken and Gnocchi by Jonesin’ For A Taste
• Dragonfruit Lemonade by Magical Ingredients

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Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe
You are going to love my Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recipe. This rich, moist cake is an easy cake recipe filled with rich lemon flavor and creamy ricotta that is an authentic Italian treat – made right in your kitchen. This easy lemon ricotta cake may look plain, but the taste is out of this world! An Italian cheesecake if you will!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes
Course: Cake, Sweets
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: lemon ricotta cake, lemon ricotta cake recipe
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 339kcal
Author: Kathleen Pope
Equipment
• USA Springform Pan
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup salted butter softened, I used European butter so good
• 1 ½ cups sugar I used all-natural cane sugar, white sugar is okay too
• 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese room temperature
• 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 3 large eggs room temperature
• 1 large lemon zested
• 2 ½-3 tablespoons lemon juice fresh squeezed, from one lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour see notes for high altitude adjustments
• powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees (see notes for high altitude) and butter or spray using baking spray an 8 or 9” springform pan, then dust with flour or powdered sugar.
• In a stand mixer or in a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes, longer if using all-natural cane sugar.
• Scrape down sides, add ricotta cheese and sour cream and blend until light and fluffy, 4-5 minutes.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing for 30 seconds on medium speed until all eggs are incorporated. Pour in vanilla extract, lemon zest and lemon juice, mixing to combine.
• Note: the mixture will look curdled; don’t worry, that’s how it should look, it will come together into a beautiful batter after adding the flour mixture.
• Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt, add ¼ – ⅓ cup at a time with mixer on low speed. After all the flour has been added, scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix until just combined – do not over mix.
• Spoon batter into prepared pan, smoothing out so that batter is even, then giving the pan a few taps to settle the batter, removing any air bubbles. Bake for 45-65 minutes until the cake is set in the middle and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Remove to wire rack and cool for 15 minutes, then remove the collar from the pan and allow to cool completely on wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, just before serving.
• Serve warm, room temperature or cooled – delicious anyway you look at it.
Fresh Tips
High Altitude Instructions
• Decrease sugar to 1 ¼ cups
• Increase flour by 3 tablespoons
• Bake at 350 degrees for dark pan, at 375 for light springform pan
Tips
Like all cheesecakes they can be finicky at times, my first few times making this cake I took it out too soon, it looked gorgeous until it cooled, then sunk slightly in the middle. Bringing my ingredients up to room temperature helped to reduce this problem as well as baking a little longer. 
If using an 8” inch springform pan, you will need to bake the cake a little longer, closer to 60 minutes. If browning too much, lay a sheet of aluminum foil over the top.
Make Ahead & Storage
Great make ahead dessert, this dessert gets better with time! Store on counter wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Refrigerate up to 7 days and may be frozen up to 3 months. 
Variations
• Replace Almond extract instead of vanilla
• Add 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries tossed in a tablespoon of the flour mixture and then hand fold into the batter. Other berries may also be used. 
• Top with fresh figs, stems removed, guartered, laying the figs on top of the batter.
• Sprinkle coarse sugar (Turbinado or Demerera) on top before baking
• Serve with a little dollop of creme fraiche, whipped cream or just some berries.
Gluten-Free Easy Ricotta Cake
This recipe will adapt well to be gluten free. Replace the regular flour with half Gluten-Free All-purpose flour (I like King Arthur Measure for Measure or Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1) and the other half with GF almond flour. It will yield a moist crumb and a delicious gluten-free lemon ricotta cake.
Nutrition
Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 282mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 593IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg
Recommended Products

USA Springform Pan
Did you make this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Check out the amazing prizes you can win in our #LemonWeek Giveaway!




Prize #1: Rodelle Prize Pack




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• 2 count Gourmet Madagascar Vanilla Beans
• 2oz Almond Extract
• 4oz Natural Baker’s Extract
• 4oz Vanilla Paste
• 8oz Gourmet Vanilla Extract
• 25oz Organic Baking Cocoa









Prize #2: La Tourangelle Prize Pack




La Tourangelle Prize Pack includes:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Roasted Walnut Oil
• Regenerative Sunflower Oil
• 4oz Vanilla Paste
• Fleur de Sel Almond Butter








Terms and conditions: This #LemonWeek is sponsored by Rodelle and La Tourangelle which starts 5/23/2022 and ends 6/3/2022 at 11:59pm ET. Enter to win a prize pack from Rodelle or La Tourangelle that include baking and cooking ingredients. This giveaway is open to anyone 18 years or older in the United States. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Two (2) winners will be selected and sent prize packages directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #LemonWeek bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the #LemonWeek posts or entry.

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