Almond Ricotta Cake

Perfect for Easter, this Italian almond ricotta cake is made with almond flour and ricotta and is naturally gluten free.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

• ¾ cup white sugar

• 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar

• 1 large lemon, zested and juiced

• 4 large eggs, separated

• 2 cups blanched almond flour

• 9 ounces ricotta cheese

• ⅓ cup white sugar

• ¼ cup sliced almonds, or to taste

• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper.

• Step 2

  Combine butter and 3/4 cup sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice; mix until well combined. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

• Step 3

  Fold in almond flour and ricotta cheese with a silicone spatula.

• Step 4

  Wash and dry the beaters and beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until foamy. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Fold stiff egg whites into the batter. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with sliced almonds.

• Step 5

  Bake on the center rake of the preheated oven until edges of the cake are lightly browned, about 50 minutes. Cake will still be a little wobbly in the middle.

• Step 6

  Remove from the oven and let the cake to cool completely in the pan before transferring to a cake platter, about 1 hour. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.