Fresh Peach and Ricotta Cake

peach cake

Fresh peach and ricotta cake is the perfect summer dessert, especially when peaches are at their peak. The addition of ricotta pairs beautifully with fresh, ripe peaches.

fresh peaches

A fresh juicy, unblemished peach is a thing of beauty and I was lucky enough to find some from North Carolina at my local Costco the other day.

oven ready peach cake

After we enjoyed eating some I couldn’t wait to make this fresh peach and ricotta cake. In the past I’ve paired fruit with ricotta quite a bit, like in this ricotta berry tart and this roasted apricot ricotta tart.

peach ricotta cake

The peaches get nestled right into the batter and as they bake the juices seep into the surrounding crumb. The top caramelizes slightly adding crisp golden edges which adds to the texture and flavor.

You can embellish it anyway you want,  you can add a bit of almond extract along with the vanilla, also topping it off with a sprinkling of sliced almonds before it gets baked into the oven, it’s all good.

slice of peach cake

Enjoy this summer dessert dusted with some powdered sugar if you like, some fresh whipped cream or a spoonful of mascarpone cheese on the side.

Happy Summer!

Fresh Peach and Ricotta Cake
 
When peaches are in season, this is the summer dessert you'll want to make.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 3 or 4 large, fresh peaches, skin on. 1 cut in small cubes and the others cut in slices
  • 1 cup or 2 sticks room temperature butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta ( if deli bought, drain liquid very well)
  • 1½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup almond flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • brown sugar to sprinkle over top
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
  2. Spray or butter a 9 inch spring form pan.
  3. With a hand mixer or stand mixer cream the butter with the sugar.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time.
  5. Add the ricotta and vanilla and mix til all blended.
  6. In a separate bowl whisk together the flours, baking powder, soda and salt.
  7. Add the dry to the wet then fold in the cubed peaches, batter will be really thick.
  8. Place the batter into your spring form pan and smooth it out with an offset spatula, then place the pan on a lined baking sheet to bake.
  9. Arrange your sliced peaches in a pretty design on top, then sprinkle with brown sugar.
  10. I baked mine for an hour and fifteen minutes, but ovens do vary so check that it's not jiggling and make sure the batter is cooked through. Sometimes if the ricotta is too wet you'll have problems with the cook time. I would say after an hour start checking those things.
  11. NOTE; As I stated in the post you can add a little almond extract and a sprinkling of sliced almonds along with the brown sugar if you like.
  12. Enjoy!

 

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Neapolitan Semolina And Ricotta Cake

semolina and ricotta cake

I’ve been wanting to do a post on this recipe for years, now that I know the proper name, Migliaccio I knew it was time. This recipe has been handed down in my family from my mother and aunt who would make it together, it’s a special cake made with semolina and ricotta along with flavors of citrus, vanilla and rum soaked raisins.

In my family it was always called “mul-yach” and I knew that couldn’t be the proper name because every time I mentioned it to anyone they had no idea what I was talking about.

It wasn’t until about a year ago when I posted a picture of it on Instagram and asked if anyone knew the proper name of this recipe and that’s when I got my answer.

Migliaccio di Carnevale, it’s a traditional sweet dish that comes from Naples and it’s served at Carnival.

cooking semolina

What’s unique about this cake is that it uses cooked semolina as an ingredient along with ricotta which results in a semi firm texture and holds up well to the flavors and any additions added. This cake is crustless and pudding like.

cooked semolina

The first thing you want to do is cook the semolina until it’s nice and thick where it clumps up and you can see the bottom of the pan, then you have to cool it down before you add it to the other ingredients.

semolina ingredients

There are many variations to this recipe with little tweaks here and there, if you do a Google search you’ll see what I mean. You can also bake this cake in a rectangle dish like I always make mine or you’ll see many using a spring form pan as well, it’s totally up to you.

semolina cake

I have to tell you, in my opinion the rum soaked golden raisins are key to this, if you don’t like rum try Grand Marnier, or just plump them up with hot water. If you don’t want raisins you can just add some of the flavorings, make it your own.

migliaccio cake

Here is my tried and true recipe, enjoy!

5.0 from 1 reviews
Neapolitan Semolina And Ricotta Cake
 
A traditional Neopolitan sweet cake made with semolina and ricotta known as Migliaccio
Author:
Ingredients
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • ¾ cups semolina flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 8 oz. ricotta, drained if full of liquid
  • ¾ cups sugar
  • 5 whole eggs
  • zest of 1 orange
  • 1½ teaspoons, vanilla
  • ¾ cups of golden raisins
  • rum, enough to cover the raisins
  • powdered sugar
Instructions
  1. Butter a 9x6 rectangle casserole dish or use an 8 or 9 inch spring form pan.
  2. In a medium pot add the milk and bring it to almost a boil then add the. semolina and whisk until it thickens in a clump and pulls away from the pan, 5 minutes or so, then take it off the heat and let it cool.
  3. Put the raisins into a small bowl and cover them with the rum, place into a microwave for 2-3 minutes, set them aside for 15 minutes, when ready to incorporate drain them of the existing rum.
  4. In a large bowl using an electric mixer add the sugar and ricotta beat together then incorporate the eggs one at a time til nice and creamy.
  5. Add in the cooked and cooled semolina along with the zest and vanilla, beat slowly until nice and smooth.
  6. Lastly add in the raisins and incorporate.
  7. Pour the mixture into baking dish and place in a 400F. pre-heated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.
  8. Let it cool down then sprinkle with powdered sugar right before cutting into it.
  9. Store in fridge.

 

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