Cassata Cake

SERVES: 12

CHILL TIME: 2 Hr

COOK TIME: 40 Min

End your Italian feast on a sweet note with our Cassata Cake! The best part? Our traditional cassata cake recipe uses a convenient shortcut, which means you get to enjoy a slice of this delicious Italian specialty in no time. But don't wait to grab your slice! Our cassata cake recipe is so tasty, it'll fly off the cake plate.

What You'll Need

1 (18-1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix, batter prepared according to the package directions
1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons dark rum
1/4 cup water
1 cup (1/2 pint) heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see Note)

For more great recipes like this, subscribe to our free email newsletter!

What to Do

Bake cake batter according to package directions for two 9-inch round layers; let cool 10 minutes, then remove from pans to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, chocolate chips, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the vanilla, and cinnamon; mix well, then cover and chill until ready to use.
In a small bowl, combine rum, water, and remaining granulated sugar; mix well. Drizzle half of the mixture over each cake layer until liquid is completely absorbed. Place one cake layer on a serving platter, cover with ricotta cheese mixture and top with second cake layer.
In a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high speed, beat heavy cream and confectioners' sugar 5 to 6 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. Frost top and sides of cake with whipped cream then sprinkle with toasted almonds.
Cover loosely and chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

To toast the almonds, place them on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 4 to 5 minutes, or just until golden. They toast very quickly, so watch them carefully to avoid burning!
Want even more Italian desserts like our Cassata Cake recipe? Then be sure to check out our collection of Easy Italian Dessert Recipes. And if you're looking for even more Italian recipes, don't miss our collection of No-Fail Italian Favorites!

Did You Know? Cassata cake originally comes from Sicily, and no one is really sure of where the name came from. Traditionally, this moist cake is topped with marzipan and candied fruits, but we know you'll love our version with toasted almonds too!