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Recipe

Italian-Inspired New Year Orange Ricotta Cake

Bake an Italian-inspired orange ricotta cake for New Year dessert. Enjoy a tender citrus crumb, simple sugar finish, make-ahead tips and nutrition notes.

Italian-Inspired New Year Orange Ricotta Cake
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened, plus a little for the pan
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (250 g) whole-milk ricotta, drained if watery
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon (8 g) powdered sugar, for finishing

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F / 175°C. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan at least 2 inches deep and line the base with parchment. If using a springform pan, place it on a baking sheet to catch any drips.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt together. In a separate bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar for 3 minutes until lightened in color, scraping the sides once or twice.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing each until incorporated. Add ricotta, orange zest and vanilla and beat briefly until evenly combined; tiny ricotta flecks are normal.
  4. Fold in half the flour mixture, then the orange juice, then the remaining flour. Stop when no dry pockets remain. Spread the thick batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
  5. Bake for 40–50 minutes until the top is golden, the center springs back lightly and a skewer comes out without wet batter. Begin checking at 40 minutes; loosely cover with foil if the top browns before the middle is ready.
  6. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully unmold onto a rack. Cool for about 60 more minutes before slicing. A warm ricotta cake is fragile and may look gummy if cut too early.
  7. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving and cut into ten wedges. Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator because this is a moist dairy-rich cake.

Ricotta and fresh orange zest give this round cake a moist, close crumb and a gentle citrus fragrance. It is an understated New Year dessert: no frosting, layers or complicated decoration, just a light dusting of powdered sugar.

This original Italian-inspired cake is designed for a 9-inch round pan. Drain visibly wet ricotta before measuring and allow the cake to cool before slicing so the tender center has time to settle.

Ricotta consistency

Use thick whole-milk ricotta. If liquid pools in the container, drain it in a fine sieve in the refrigerator before measuring the 250 g; excessively wet cheese can make a heavy center.

Make ahead

Bake a day ahead and refrigerate once cooled. Bring individual slices toward room temperature briefly before serving. Keep chilled leftovers for up to 3–4 days or freeze wrapped slices for best quality within 2 months.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use cottage cheese?

It is not a direct substitute: its curds and moisture differ. Ricotta gives the intended texture.

Why did the cake sink?

An underbaked center, too much moisture or opening the oven early can contribute. Measure flour by weight and use the skewer and spring-back checks.

Nutrition notes

Nutrition is an approximate editorial estimate per serving, not a laboratory analysis. Brands, substitutions and portion sizes change the values. These original recipe drafts have not been kitchen-tested; use the stated doneness checks as well as timing.

Estimate is one of ten wedges, including all ricotta and powdered sugar. Extra pan-greasing butter is not included.

Allergens: Wheat; Milk; Eggs. Check all product labels.

Food storage and handling

Refrigerate perishable leftovers in shallow containers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F / 32°C. Keep at 40°F / 4°C or colder, use within 3–4 days and reheat cooked leftovers to 165°F / 74°C. Follow any shorter storage guidance given in the recipe.

Illustrative recipe image; presentation may vary. This is not a photograph of a kitchen test.

Per serving

Nutrition facts

Serving size: One wedge, one-tenth of the cake (estimated nutrition)

Calories
300
Total fat
15 g
Saturated fat
8 g
Cholesterol
100 mg
Sodium
205 mg
Total carbohydrate
35 g
Dietary fiber
1 g
Total sugars
18 g
Protein
8 g

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