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Do you love Cheesecake? Moreover, do you love Italian Cheesecake? If you do (and even if you don't) this lemon ricotta cake is a must try! This is not your typical cheesecake recipe. It's a cross between a Sicilian Cassata and Ricotta Cheesecake. Both are Italian desserts and are made with hints of citrus and ricotta cheese.
I wish I could tell you that this is some secret family recipe passed down from generation to generation, but I actually came up with this cake by accident. Some of the ingredients may surprise you, but I think if you try it you'll agree this is a definite winner! 
Initially, I had this idea to make doughnuts with lemon cake mix and ricotta cheese. I developed a recipe based on some ingredients and measurements from the cake mix box, a doughnut cake recipe, and an Italian cheesecake recipe. After making the first batch it was evident that the recipe I developed did not make the doughnut I had expected. Feeling a little disappointed with the outcome I decided I should make something else with the batter. Since the ingredients and flavors were reminiscent of both cassata and Italian cheesecake I decided to bake a Lemon Ricotta Cake.
Unsure how this would turn out, I still greased my springform pan, poured in the remaining cake batter and then placed the pan in the oven (middle rack). After an hour I removed the pan from the oven. It looked amazing, but I was still cautiously optimistic. I let it stand a few moments and then without hesitation released the sides of the pan.
Voila, it was a beauty, but I still wondered how it would it taste. After refrigerating for a few hours I cut myself a piece. I was pleasantly surprised.
This cake was moist and delicious! Having enhanced the original lemon cake mix a bit I think this is a cake even "Betty" would serve. Happy baking and enjoy!
Lemon Ricotta Cake
Ingredients
- 1 Box of Betty Crocker Super Moist Lemon Cake Mix 15.25 oz
- 1 lb ricotta cheese
- 1 Cup of Heavy Cream
- ½ cup olive oil
- 4 eggs
- Powder Sugar for Sprinkling
- cooking spray
- 9 ½ " springform pan
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Mix together the ricotta cheese and heavy cream with a hand blender or stand mixer until creamy. Then add the eggs one at a time - mixing a little in between each egg, Add the olive oil and continue to mix thoroughly, Then add the cake mix. Combine all the ingredients thoroughly and pour into a greased spring form pan. Place the pan in the oven on the center rack
- Bake in the oven for 1 hour or until the cake is very lightly browned on top and the sides and is firm to the touch. Let stand for 10 minutes, Release the the sides of the pan and continue to cool. Refrigerate until cold or overnight. Sprinkle with powder sugar before serving.
Notes
I value your feedback, so please let me know what you think in the comments below. If you like this recipe please share it.
Sue says
Would any cake mix suffice for this recipe?
Tina DiLeo says
Hi Sue! You could definitely swap out a different flavor for this. Thanks for stopping by!
Adrianne Kergis says
I made this cake exactly as instructed. It seems to me that the Lemon Flavor is not strong enough. Cake is not sweet.
Tina DiLeo says
Oh no! I'm sorry you did't love it. The cake itself is definitely not super sweet and I found the Betty Crocker Lemon Supreme gave it the most lemon flavor. If you decide to make it again I would try a dash of lemon extract or even lemon zest to give it that extra zing of lemon. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Nitza says
@Tina DiLeo, love it! Thank you!!
Jessie says
I would like to double this recipe. What size pan besides a springform pan would you recommend? Would an 8by 11 or 8 by 13 work??
Tina DiLeo says
Yes, you can totally make this in a baking dish but If you double it I think might need to split this between two baking dishes. Also, try a water bath if you do. If you've doubled the recipe and made it already I'd sure love to know how it worked out! Thanks for stopping by!
Nesh says
Can I substitute the cream for milk or almond milk?
Tina DiLeo says
hi! To be honest I am not sure about that. If you generally substitute Almond milk in your baking then I would totally try it. My guess is it wont be as creamy but worth the try! I'd love to hear about it if you do (or did)! Thanks for stopping by!
Donna says
can I add blueberries and would I prep
them first with sugar and cornstarch or just fresh? Thanks
Tina DiLeo says
Hi Donna, I just want to make sure I understand the question ... do you want to add the blueberries to the batter? If so, I am not 100% certain on this but I would prep them so they do not bleed into the mix and create extra moisture. I believe that is what the cornstarch will do. The sugar is usually to sweeten the fruit but I would do that too. Good luck!
Carole Stahl says
This is a GREAT recipe !!!!To give it more lemon flavor took the juice of 2 Meyer lemons and poured it over the top of the cake after partly cooled.
Tina DiLeo says
What a great idea! I'm going to try this next time I make it. Thanks so much for sharing!
Marta says
Made this cake with Yellow cake mix. I added 1/2 lemon juice and lemon zest in the batter. Also I used half n half instead of heavy cream. Cake isn’t very sweet but served it with macerated strawberries which I lightly sweetened with sugar. Love this recipe.