Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Candied Citrus Ricotta Cake

  • Author: adapted from Bon Appetit
  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 60 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • For the cake
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp fresh citrus zest (I used a lemon/tangerine combo)
  • 1 1/2 cups ricotta
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp fresh citrus juice (again, I used a lemon/tangerine combo)
  • For the Candied Citrus
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 2 cups sugar + extra for sprinkling
  • 1 meyer lemon, sliced to 1/8" thick discs
  • 1 tangerine, sliced to 1/8" thick discs
  • 1 blood orange, sliced to 1/8" thick discs

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F and butter a 9" loaf pan.
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream the butter, sugar, and citrus zests together with a mixer. When smooth, add the ricotta and again mix until smooth.
  4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until homogenous.
  5. Mix in the citrus juice, then the flour mixture. Stir until combined, taking care not to over-mix.
  6. Pour into the prepared pan (you can line it with parchment, if desired), and bake for 50-60 minutes. I tented mine with foil at 45 minutes, and baked until 60 minutes (when the cake-tester came out clean). When it's done, let cool completely.
  7. While the cake is baking, you can make the candied citrus!
  8. In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, combine the water and sugar. Stir until combined, then add as many discs of citrus as you can in a single layer. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for 30-45 minutes. The rinds should become more transparent with time. At 45 minutes, or when the rinds are transparent, transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Let them cool completely before proceeding, save the syrup leftover from the candying process.
  9. When the cake and the candied citrus have cooled, use a toothpick to poke holes all over the top of the cake. Brush the leftover syrup along the top of the cake, letting it sink in as much as possible. Layer the citrus over the top of the loaf, using extra syrup as glue.
  10. Serve at room temperature!