Description
This Pistachio, Orange & Ricotta Cake is a moist, citrusy dessert that combines zesty orange, creamy ricotta, and rich pistachios, topped with a smooth pistachio-cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
1 large orange, grated zest only
150 g unsalted butter, softened
175 g caster sugar
3 large eggs
½ tsp vanilla bean paste (or extract)
160 g plain flour
80 g unsalted pistachios, ground
2½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
125 g ricotta cheese
60 g unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
60 g icing sugar (for frosting)
70 g pistachio paste (for frosting)
150 g cream cheese, room temperature (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Grease and line an 8-inch (20 cm) cake tin.
- Grind the pistachios in a food processor until finely chopped, reserving a tablespoon for garnish.
- In a large bowl, rub the orange zest into the caster sugar until fragrant. Add the softened butter and vanilla, then cream the mixture until pale and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Fold in the flour, ground pistachios, baking powder, and salt. Gently mix in the ricotta until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the butter and icing sugar until smooth. Mix in the pistachio paste, then beat in the cream cheese until silky.
- Once the cake is cool, spread the frosting on top and sprinkle with the reserved crushed pistachios.
Notes
Swap orange zest with lemon zest for a sharper flavor.
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
Make pistachio paste by blending pistachios with a little oil if unavailable.
Add chopped pistachios to the batter for extra crunch.
Add cardamom or cinnamon for a festive twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
