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    Home » Recipes » Sweet Recipes

    Lemon Ricotta Cake with Candied Lemons

    Jan 19, 2017 | by Jennifer | Last Updated: Jun 12, 2021

    Jump to Recipe

    This lovely, light lemon ricotta cake is a wonderful way to end any meal or for a special dessert. Featured here topped with Candied Lemons, but adaptable to any topping.

    lemon ricotta cake sliced on white plate

    Ricotta cakes are such a lovely and light dessert and this lemon version is the perfect way to enjoy some bright flavours and colours in the middle of winter.

    If you've never had a ricotta cake, it is lighter than a cheesecake and as its ricotta cheese based instead of cream cheese based, it's flavour is more subtle. It's lovely and light, so a nice way to finish a meal. It's also a great base cake for any number of toppings.

    I've topped mine with candied lemons (instructions on how to make the candied lemons is below!), but this cake is lovely with lemon curd and/or fresh berries and/or a dollop of creme fraiche or whipped cream.

    Cook's Notes

    As I mentioned above, this cake is lovely with any number of toppings. Fresh fruit is always a great option, as is a chunky sauce or puree of blueberries or raspberries. Lemon curd would be perfect.

    As ricotta forms the majority of the ingredients of this cake, seek out some great, fresh ricotta. Be sure to allow it to sit to remove as much moisture as possible, before using in the cake.

    No cheesecloth? Use a coffee filter to line your strainer!

    The candied lemons can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.

    lemon ricotta cake sliced on white plate

    lemon ricotta cake sliced on white plate

    Lemon Ricotta Cake with Candied Lemons

    A lovely light and lemony cake, topped with homemade candied lemons. This cake is also lovely serve with fresh fruit, fruit puree or sauce or lemon curd.
    Author: Jennifer
    4.7 stars from 3 ratings
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    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 50 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 8 people

    Ingredients
     

    • 3 cups ricotta cheese
    • 3/4 cup white sugar
    • 1/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour
    • 4 egg yolks
    • Zest of 1 lemon
    • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
    • 4 egg whites
    • 1/4 cup white sugar
    • Icing/confectioners sugar, for dusting

    Candied Lemons:

    • 2 large lemons
    • Ice water
    • 2 cups white sugar
    • 2 cups water
    Prevent screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Do ahead: In a cheesecloth lined strainer placed over a bowl, strain the ricotta for 12 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
    • To make Candied Lemons (if using): Thinly slice the lemons and remove any pits. Fill a large bowl with ice and cold water. Set aside. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and boil lemon slices for one minute, then remove to the ice water until completely cooled, then drain the water/ice. In a medium-sized skillet, bring white sugar and water to a simmer, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add lemon slices in a single layer and gently simmer, turning a few times, for about 1 hour, or until rinds are translucent. Remove lemon slices to a cooling rack to cool completely.
    • When ready to bake, preheat oven to 325 Butter an 8-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
    • In a large bowl with an electric mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the ricotta, 3/4 cup white sugar, flour, egg yolks, lemon zest and juice until smooth. Set aside or if using stand mixer, remove to a large bowl and clean bowl.
    • In another bowl (or clean stand mixer bowl, fitted with a whisk), beat the egg whites with 1/4 sugar until stiff peaks form.
    • Use a spatula to gently fold the egg whites in to the ricotta mixture. Pour in to prepared pan.
    • Place in to preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until it is golden and set. Remove to a cooling rack to cool in the pan. Cake will sag or sink in the middle. Once cooled, leave in pan, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
    • When ready to serve, run a knife around the outside of the pan and unmould. Dust with icing sugar and top with Candied Lemons or the topping of your choice.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 502kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 131mg | Sugar: 75g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 0.8mg

    Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.

    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American, Canadian
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    Meet the Author:
    Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!

    I love to share the classic recipes that I have enjoyed for years, as well as newer discoveries, that have become fast favourites.
    More about me here ...


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lynn says

      May 24, 2020 at 1:37 pm

      Do i measure the ricotta before or after i strain it?

      I only have a 16-oz container of fresh whole milk ricotta, so plan to halve the recipe & bake it in a smaller foil-lined baking dish or maybe just divide the batter into individual ramekins or custard cups, and watch carefully to remove from oven when done way sooner than 50 mins. My oven heats unevenly, so my habit baking most things is to rotate the pans 1/3 every 7-10 minutes & check/test til done, rather than assume the prescribed time will work for me. Cheers!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 24, 2020 at 6:58 pm

        Hi Lynne, you should measure it out after it is drained. Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Louisa says

      May 31, 2018 at 7:59 pm

      4 stars
      Are we supposed to eat the candied lemon leaving the rind only or just eat all ? ... I'm not very experienced in the baking arena ... upping my game though ... Im beavering away in the kitchen as I passed my final professional examination and plan to
      surprise my friends with a thank you cake .. this is going to be divine .... I can't wait ..

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        June 01, 2018 at 8:13 am

        You can eat them or not Louisa. They are sweetened and softened, so they are definitely edible or just treat them as a garnish.

        Reply
    3. Louisa says

      May 31, 2018 at 10:28 am

      I am just about to make this gorgeous cheesecake . Quick question : does it keep for a few days in the fridge or can you freeze it ? Thanks LP

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 31, 2018 at 10:47 am

        Hi Louisa, it should keep a day at least in the fridge. I don't think I'd freeze it.

        Reply
        • louisa says

          May 31, 2018 at 7:50 pm

          ITs almost one in the morning UK time and I have another hour to go before the candied lemons are ready ... the cake is looking good ... I'll tuck it up in the fridge overnight ( over the early hours of this morning ... !! ) and take it out at 0800 hrs today !!! .. I'm tired but I simply MUST go on .... watch this space people !!!! so excited ... !!

          Reply
    4. Deeba & Luci says

      February 04, 2017 at 11:01 pm

      5 stars
      Made this the same day we (Luci and I) made the lemon poppy seed scones. Our cake was just as gorgeous, which surprised us ;) ~ we doubled the zest, juice, and added Lorann lemon oil, as well in this recipe. Still, the lemon flavor seemed to mellow, and the ricotta was not as creamy as we expected. In fairness, ricotta is not a creamy-smooth cheese, so we prolly just didn't think it through. Otherwise, it was delicious. The candied lemon slices are definitely a marmalade, and wonderful if you love marmalade ~ which we do. Luci (my eight year old grand-blessing) and I love ALL things lemon. Love your photos, too!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        February 05, 2017 at 7:54 am

        Thanks Deeba and Luci! And yes, this is one of those things where we are expecting one thing and get something else. Not in a bad way, but it does require a moment to shift. Like you, I expected cheesecake, but of course, ricotta isn't cream cheese. Once I processed that, I really enjoyed this slice. So lovely and light and a great base for full-flavoured toppings or fresh fruit.

        Reply
    5. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      January 22, 2017 at 10:29 pm

      What a beautifully bright cake to perk us all up during the winter Jennifer! And those candied lemons to top it off are such a wonderful idea!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 23, 2017 at 6:48 am

        Thanks so much, Mary Ann. My husband loved the candied lemons. He was eating the leftovers like ... candy :)

        Reply
    6. Laura | Tutti Dolci says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:31 pm

      I love this bright and sunny cake! The perfect treat to bring some sunshine in on a winter day :)

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 19, 2017 at 4:40 pm

        Thanks Laura and glad to bring a little sunshine :)

        Reply
    7. Chris Scheuer says

      January 19, 2017 at 2:23 pm

      I can think of a zillion variations and ways to serve this beautiful cake. And you're right, it would be a perfect ending to a dinner party!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 19, 2017 at 4:40 pm

        Thanks Chris and yes, it is lovely with any fruit!

        Reply
    8. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      January 19, 2017 at 11:04 am

      5 stars
      Any kind of cake makes my heart go pitter-patter, but especially cakes made with cheese! This looks just perfect, Jennifer! So fluffy, light and moist! Plus I just adore all things citrus right now, so those candied lemons are screaming my name! I could use a few slices of this for breakfast! Drooling! Cheers!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 19, 2017 at 4:39 pm

        Thanks Cheyanne and yes, citrus is the only bright spot in my otherwise monochromatic world at the moment. Soaking it up :)

        Reply
    9. Dalila G. says

      January 19, 2017 at 10:56 am

      YAY for lemons!
      I really love those little yellow round balls of sour juicy goodness. :-D
      This dessert looks fabulous Jennifer, just fabulous!
      One question, is sharing an option? ;-)

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 19, 2017 at 4:38 pm

        Thanks Dalila :) I am so enjoying all the lemon this week. It's brightening me up just looking at it :)

        Reply
    10. sue | theviewfromgreatisland says

      January 19, 2017 at 10:26 am

      This looks like a glorious plate of sunshine, I'm in love! I've got a huge pile of citrus that I'm working with this week, so this is giving me such inspiration ~ sharing all over the place!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 19, 2017 at 10:45 am

        Thanks Sue and yes, it really brightens up these dreary days!

        Reply
    11. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says

      January 19, 2017 at 9:36 am

      I have never tried a ricotta cake like this before but am totally smitten with lemon! It looks so pillowy light, I bet it tastes dreamy! I adore citrus desserts and this one just moved to the top of my list! Great dessert for one of my monthly family dinners :) Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 19, 2017 at 9:55 am

        Thanks Tricia. Ricotta cakes are so unique. They are very light and are a perfect base for some great strong flavours from fruit or lemons or curd etc. Would be a great dessert cake after a big meal, as it's not heavy at all.

        Reply

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