Grandma Lus Cassata Cake Recipes

CASSATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan.
• To make the cake, beat the eggs preferably in an electric mixer for 5 minutes. Add the sugar and grated citrus peel and continue to beat until the beater leaves a ribbon-like trail, about 15 minutes. Fold in the flour by hand, one-third at a time.
• Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes then unmold and cool completely.
• To make the syrup: In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup of warm water with the sugar and the liqueur. Stir the syrup until the sugar dissolves.
• To form the cassata: Slice the cake into 2 (1/2-inch-thick) slices. Trim the crusts from the cake then return one of the layers to the springform pan. Spoon half the syrup over the cake then spread a layer of ricotta crema on top. Repeat, carefully placing another layer of cake, drizzling with syrup then spreading with ricotta. Wrap the cake in plastic and chill it for at least 1 hour.
• To make the frosting: Sift half of the confectioners' sugar into a bowl. Add half of the lemon juice and all of the lemon extract. Stir the liquid into the sugar, breaking up any lumps. Sift the remaining sugar into the bowl and add the rest of the lemon juice. Thin the icing with a little water until it has a thin spreading consistency and forms smooth, shiny icing.
• Unwrap the cassata and invert it onto a serving plate. Ice the cassata then decorate it with whole and cut pieces of candied fruit. Chill the cassata for at least 3 hours, then slice and serve.

CASSATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a saucepan, bring the milk and butter to a boil. Meanwhile, with a whip attachment beat the eggs 5 to 7 minutes until light and very fluffy. Add the sugar and vanilla and mix well, then gradually add the flour. Drizzle in the hot milk, then add baking powder. Pour it into a greased 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper lining the bottom. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes Let cool in the pan on a wire rack then use a blunt knife to go around the edge of the pan to loosen it. Turn it out onto a cutting board and carefully slice it in half horizontally.
• To make the filling: Place the ricotta and sugar in a food processor and pulse to blend and make it smooth. Fold in candied fruit, if you are using it. Chill until ready to use.
• To make the syrup: In a small saucepan boil the water and sugar together. Let cool then add the orange liqueur.
• To assemble the cassata: Butter a 9-inch pie plate and line it with plastic wrap with some hanging over the edge. Place the green marzipan strip around the edge of the pan on the sloping sides, over lapping at where the ends come together. Trim 1 layer of cake to fit into the bottom of the pie pan and place it in. Brush it with half the syrup. Spread the cake layer with ricotta filling. Brush the second layer of cake with the remaining syrup and flip it onto the ricotta filling. Press down lightly to secure it. Cover it with plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
• To serve, uncover the cassata and flip it onto a serving platter. Peel the plastic wrap off the top and dust it heavily with powdered sugar. Decorate with whole candied fruit or fruit shaped marzipan. Serve in wedges.

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.

GRANDMA LU'S CASSATA CAKE

Steps:

• Mix ricotta, 1 pint of whipped heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl till smooth. Add one roughly chopped chocolate bar. Fold in.
• Spray a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray (like Pam). Slice sponge cake into half-inch pieces. Line the bowl with one layer of cake. Follow with a layer of filling, making sure to come up to top of bowl. Continue alternating layers of cake and filling till you have reached the top of bowl. Finish with a layer of cake. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove plastic wrap. Place a pretty cake dish on top of bowl. Invert the cake and remove bowl. Frost with remaining pint of whipped heavy cream. Decorate with 2nd chocolate bar curls and drained maraschino cherries.

CASSATA CAKE

Steps:

• 1. To make the filling, quickly whisk together 4 tablespoons of the milk with the flour. The slurry will be somewhat thick, so whisk thoroughly to make it smooth. Press out any lumps with a flexible spatula, if necessary.
• 2. Whisk in the rest of the milk and transfer the mixture to a 2-quart heavy-bottom saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly. Once bubbles that burp steam form, remove the pot from the heat and continue to stir for another 30 seconds.
• 3. Cover the milk mixture with plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface. Cool for 15 to 30 minutes.
• 4. Meanwhile, combine the butter, sugar, citrus oil, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on high speed for up to 5 minutes.
• 5. Add the milk mixture and continue to beat on high speed until the filling is smooth, another 5 minutes. Beat in the ricotta cheese 1 tablespoon at a time.
• 6. Preheat the oven to 335°F and place the rack in the middle position. Line the bottoms of three 9-by-2- inch round pans with parchment.
• 7. Measure the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt into one bowl, and the milk and vanilla into a separate bowl. Whisk each to combine.
• 8. In the standing mixer fitted with the wire whip attachment, beat the egg whites on high speed to a stiff peak. Drizzle in 1 cup of the sugar while the mixer is running. Scoop the meringue into a large bowl and set aside.
• 9. Lightly wipe the mixer bowl and replace the wire whip with the paddle attachment. Cream the butter with the remaining 1 cup of sugar on low speed.
• 10. Add the egg yolks one at a time. Scrape the sides of the bowl all the way to the bottom using a flexible spatula and mix on low speed until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
• 11. Alternately add the dry and wet ingredients about a quarter at a time without pausing between additions.
• 12. Stop the mixer and gently fold the meringue into the batter with a flexible spatula. Pour the mixture evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 27 to 30 minutes, or until the cake bounces back when lightly pressed and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
• 13. Cool the cakes for 2 minutes, then run an offset spatula around the edges and invert the cakes onto a flat surface. They will be very fragile, so handle them with care.
• 14. Assemble the extravagant cake by adding about 1 cup each of the fresh strawberries and the ricotta filling between the layers. Cover the outside of the cake with the whipped cream. Add more fresh strawberries around the edge of the cake if you like.