Grandma Lus Cassata Cake Recipes

CASSATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan.
• To make the cake, beat the eggs preferably in an electric mixer for 5 minutes. Add the sugar and grated citrus peel and continue to beat until the beater leaves a ribbon-like trail, about 15 minutes. Fold in the flour by hand, one-third at a time.
• Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes then unmold and cool completely.
• To make the syrup: In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup of warm water with the sugar and the liqueur. Stir the syrup until the sugar dissolves.
• To form the cassata: Slice the cake into 2 (1/2-inch-thick) slices. Trim the crusts from the cake then return one of the layers to the springform pan. Spoon half the syrup over the cake then spread a layer of ricotta crema on top. Repeat, carefully placing another layer of cake, drizzling with syrup then spreading with ricotta. Wrap the cake in plastic and chill it for at least 1 hour.
• To make the frosting: Sift half of the confectioners' sugar into a bowl. Add half of the lemon juice and all of the lemon extract. Stir the liquid into the sugar, breaking up any lumps. Sift the remaining sugar into the bowl and add the rest of the lemon juice. Thin the icing with a little water until it has a thin spreading consistency and forms smooth, shiny icing.
• Unwrap the cassata and invert it onto a serving plate. Ice the cassata then decorate it with whole and cut pieces of candied fruit. Chill the cassata for at least 3 hours, then slice and serve.

GRANDMA LU'S CASSATA CAKE

Steps:

• Mix ricotta, 1 pint of whipped heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl till smooth. Add one roughly chopped chocolate bar. Fold in.
• Spray a large bowl with nonstick cooking spray (like Pam). Slice sponge cake into half-inch pieces. Line the bowl with one layer of cake. Follow with a layer of filling, making sure to come up to top of bowl. Continue alternating layers of cake and filling till you have reached the top of bowl. Finish with a layer of cake. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Remove plastic wrap. Place a pretty cake dish on top of bowl. Invert the cake and remove bowl. Frost with remaining pint of whipped heavy cream. Decorate with 2nd chocolate bar curls and drained maraschino cherries.

GRANDMA'S BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat gas oven 350 degrees, electric 325 degrees. All ingredients should be room temperature. Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans. Sift flour, add baking powder and salt. Set aside. On medium speed, cream butter and sugar, until light and fluffy. (Or 150 strokes by hand.) On medium speed, (or another 150 strokes) add 1 egg at a time. After 2 eggs add 2 tablespoons flour. Add flour mix alternating with the milk, ending with the flour. Add extracts. Place cake pan in middle of oven. Pans should not touch. Baking time approximately 35 minutes.
• In a hot cast-iron skillet or heavy saucepan melt butter and brown sugar together on high heat, stirring until sugar is thoroughly melted. Transfer into mixing bowl and, using mixer on low speed, starting and ending with confectioners' sugar; alternately add heavy cream with vanilla, beating until frosting becomes spreadable. Spread on cooled cake.;

CASSATA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Mix together the ricotta, chocolate, candied fruit and 4 tablespoons of the granulated sugar in a mixing bowl, and then spread evenly into the pie crust. Lay slices of sponge cake on top of the filling close to the crust. Heat 1/2 cup water in a saucepot, and then remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and the rum. Lightly coat the sponge cake with the rum water using a pastry brush. Place a plate on top of the cake and then invert and sprinkle with the icing sugar. Refrigerate 1 hour and serve.