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Limoncello Ricotta Cake (Frosted Italian Lemon Cake)

Limoncello Ricotta Cake (Frosted Italian Lemon Cake)

This Limoncello Ricotta Cake is a super moist and delicious Italian dessert perfect for any celebration.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 16 slices
Calories 489 kcal

Equipment

  • 2 9-inch round cake pans

Ingredients
  

Cake

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened (one and half sticks)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 15 ounces whole milk ricotta (well drained)
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¼ cup limoncello liqueur
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from one lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour (210 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Limoncello Cream Cheese Frosting

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (one stick)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (400 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons limoncello liqueur
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from one lemon)
  • lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

Cake Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a stand up mixer or large bowl with an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until well combined. Add the drained ricotta and blend until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, incorporating well. Then add in the ¼ cup Limoncello, lemon zest, and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients to the wet in two batches, until just combined.
  • Pour the batter into prepared pans and smooth as needed. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan at least 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting Preparation

  • To make the Limoncello cream cheese Frosting, in a large bowl cream together the butter and cream cheese. Add in the powdered sugar, Limoncello, and zest. Mix until well combined.
  • Place one layer of the cooled cake on pedestal or cake plate and spread on about a cup of frosting. Place on the top layer of the cake and spread the remaining frosting all over the cake. Garnish with sliced lemons if desired.

Notes

Make sure you are draining your ricotta well before using. To do so, place the ricotta in a fine mesh sieve set over a bowl. Let drain for at least an hour before using. You can make the cake layers ahead of time. Just bake as usual, cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two days in advance. The frosted cake can be made up to two days in advance. Just refrigerate in an airtight container and don’t add the lemon garnish until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 489kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 6gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 329mgPotassium: 78mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 51gVitamin A: 803IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Celebration, dessert, Frosted, Italian Cake, Limoncello, ricotta cake
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