Lemon Ricotta Cake

Today I have for you a really moist, really delicious single-layer lemon ricotta cake. Dressed with a lemon glaze and a few fresh berries, you won’t be disappointed. Simple and elegant.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• professional cake pan https://amzn.to/3KJAdKs

• precut parchment circles https://amzn.to/3KM871k

• Baker’s Joy baking spray https://amzn.to/3kIJMi2

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3EKS8ge

• microplane zester https://amzn.to/3y396me

• citrus press https://amzn.to/3EKDCoy

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Lemon Ricotta Cake

makes a single layer 9-inch cake

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (from 1-2 lemons)

• 3 large eggs, room temperature

• 15 ounces whole milk ricotta

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups confectioners sugar

• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 2-3 tablespoons whole milk or half and half

For the Garnish:

• fresh berries (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and place rack in center position.

2. Prepare a 9-inch professional cake pan with a parchment circle and Baker’s Joy baking spray.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt set aside until needed.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, and lemon zest together for 2 minutes.

5. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for 20 seconds after each; followed by the ricotta cheese.

6. Add the flour mixture until no traces of dry ingredients remain, scrape down sides of bowl to ensure ingredients are well incorporated.

7. Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Rest 10 minutes before turning cake out of pan; cool completely right side up.

9. Whisk glaze ingredients together and our over cake.

10. Garnish with fresh berries (optional).

recipe adapted from Lands and Byerley

Apple Cider Donuts

I live in apple country and Apple Cider Donuts are a regional favorite. They can be purchased at many local establishments, but this NYTimes recipe is excellent and I can a dozen donuts for the same price as buying just 2 at a local orchard. Give them a try and discover for yourself why apple cider donuts are so popular.

Note: you can make this recipe with ground nutmeg from your pantry, but I highly recommend grinding the nutmeg fresh — it makes all the difference.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• donut pan(s) https://amzn.to/3wIlVl9

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3DnJkvZ

• Baker’s Joy baking spray https://amzn.to/3DsuvZ6

• whole nutmeg https://amzn.to/3DnIGP5

• microplane grater https://amzn.to/3HFTwlX

• large disposable pastry bag https://amzn.to/3JsNJ4n

• pastry brush https://amzn.to/40haz4Z

• mini electric donut maker https://amzn.to/3RgHym9

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Apple Cider Donuts

makes 12

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

Donuts:

• 1 3/4 (225g) cups all purpose flour

• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 3/4 teaspoon fine table salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

• 3/4 cup light brown sugar

• 1/4 cup white granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup apple cider

Topping:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar

Directions

To Make the Donuts:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and place rack in center position.

2. Prepare donut pan(s) with nonstick baking spray like Baker’s Joy.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; set aside.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, light brown sugar, and white granulated sugar until light in color and fluffy in texture.

5. Add the eggs, one at a time, until each in fully incorporated; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

6. Add the flour mixture and mix until no traces of dry ingredients remain.

7. With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the pure vanilla extract and apple cider and mix; scrape the sides of the bowl as needed, until the mixture is homogeneous.

8. Pour the batter into a very large disposable pastry bag or a gallon-size freezer bag (see notes below); clip a 1/2-inch opening in the bag and fill each donut pan(s) about 2/3s full with the batter.

9. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. Remove from oven and rest for 5 minutes before dipping in melted butter and cinnamon sugar mixture.

To Finish the Donuts:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar and ground cinnamon.

2. Brush warm donuts in melted butter and immediately toss in cinnamon sugar mixture.

Notes

1. I strongly recommend using freshly grated nutmeg for this recipe. Whole nutmeg will keep indefinitely in a cool dry place. I keep mine in a glass jar and grate it as needed using a microplane grater.

2. For the most mess-free way to fill the donut pan(s), use a very large disposable pastry bag (at least 18-inches) or a gallon-size zip top FREEZER bag (storage bag seams tend to break). Place the pastry bag in a tall vase to fill.

3. To make apple cider muffins, bake batter for 15-20 minutes in a standard muffin pan instead (this pan is my favorite) — recipe will make 12 muffins.

4. To make mini donuts, use an electric donut maker.

5. I prefer to use a silicone pastry brush over a standard one when dealing with greasy/oily ingredients because I find it easier to clean the silicone bristles.

adapted from nytimes.com