Making it’s grand appearance every Easter this Italian sweet cheese cake
(Not to be confused with the actual cheesecake we all know and love)
Cassata Cake is something so uniquely different
While many people have never heard of this rich but delicious cake
If you are Italian then you surely know what a Cassata Cake is!
Like most of the classic cakes, the history of this Cassata Cake is interesting when it comes to actually agreeing on it’s origins
I won’t go into all of that here, but if you search Cassata Cake
You will see all the different variations from the way it is decorated to what is folded into the filling.
Today I am making it the way I sold it when I had my bakery!
Believe me we sold hundreds for Easter!
Only this time it’s even better because it is vegan for everyone to enjoy!
With traditional marzipan draped over the rum soaked cake layers
Sweet ricotta cheese filling studded with chocolate chips and subtle orange zest
My decoration is far from the original version that has all those candied fruits on top
For me, tiny buttercream roses are are just perfect for a springtime Easter fest!
This is an old school decoration that really brings me back to my bakery days!
Let’s talk about marzipan!
What is marzipan anyway?
Most people confuse it with almond paste, which is made from ground almonds with sugar added to it
It is soft and sticky and can be used as a filling for cakes and pastry
Marzipan dough is simply almond paste that has even MORE Sugar added to it!
More confectioners sugar transforms the almond paste into a pliable dough that can be rolled and draped over cakes exactly like fondant
I love the addition of rose extract to mine but this can be left out with no changes to the recipes
Some traditional Cassata Cakes will color the marzipan green
But I prefer to stick to the natural color for my cakes
Notes for Success & Substitutions:
I am using SILK brand whipping cream for the whipped cream addition to the cannoli filling *not sponsored
I have several options for Vegan Whipped Cream here on my website if you cannot get that brand
Soaking vegan cakes with simple syrup must be done sparingly to avoid a soggy gummy cake
However my recipe for Bakery Yellow Cake is a very sturdy cake that can handle an addition of cake soak perfectly!
For this cake project I used high quality Olive Nation products
VANILLA BEAN PASTE
ALMOND PASTE
ROSE EXTRACT
MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS
Don’t forget to check out Olive Nation for all the best ingredients to make this cake!
Get 20% off your order by entering GVB20 at checkout!
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL YOUTUBE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR HOW TO MAKE THIS CAKE
For more awesome classic cakes like this one, click the links below!
Dobos Torte~ The Original 7 Layer Cake
- 1 Recipe Bakery Yellow Cake
- ½ Recipe No Shortening Buttercream
- For the Marzipan:
- Almond Paste 7ounces
- Confectioners Sugar 2 cups (240g)
- Corn Syrup or Glucose Syrup 4 Tablespoons (60ml)
- Rose extract *optional ½ teaspoon
- For the Sweet Ricotta Filling:
- Firm Tofu 1 package 14ounces
- Confectioners Sugar 1 -2 cups *I used 1 cup (120g-240g)
- Vegan Mini Chocolate Chips 1 cup
- Orange zest 2 teaspoons
- Vanilla bean paste extract 2 teaspoons
- Vegan Whipped Cream 1 cup whipped volume
- For the Rum Syrup:
- Granulated Sugar ½ cup
- Water ½
- Rum 4 Tbs
- OR
- Rum Extract 2 teaspoons
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- Grease & parchment line 2-8" cake pans
- Prepare the bakery style yellow cake recipe as instructed on that recipe post
- Divide the batter evenly between both pans
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20minutes then turn the oven down to 300°F for another 15-20minutes or until the cakes are springy to the touch when you gently press the centers.
- The toothpick test is another good indicator of done-ness
- Cool the cake in the pan until you can touch then without burning yourself, then flip them onto a cooling rack to cool the rest of the way
- Meanwhile prepare your favorite buttercream recipe and separate about 1 cup for the buttercream roses decoration *optional
- Next prepare the simple syrup by bringing the sugar & water to a boil in a small sauce pot
- Once it boils, let it boil for 1 minute then remove from heat and add optional rum or rum extract
- Set aside to cool
- Next make the Marzipan dough by combining the almond paste with the corn syrup in your mixer bowl and cream smooth
- Add the sifted confectioners sugar & rose extract *if using and mix until it comes together like a smooth pliable dough
- Wrap tightly with plastic wrap until ready to roll
- Next prepare the sweet ricotta cheese filling by gently squeezing out any excess water from the tofu (* I do not press it, just a gentle squeeze is good)
- Place it into your food processor and pulse until it resembles the thick creamy texture of ricotta cheese.
- Transfer the ricotta cheese to a large mixing bowl and add the sifted confectioners sugar, vanilla bean extract , orange zest and mini chocolate chips
- Whip the vegan whipped cream to medium peaks and fold into the ricotta cheese mixture
- Refrigerate until needed.
- You may need to trim your cake layers to be sure they are even but then you can build the cake according to the YouTube video tutorial
Freeze the Cassata cake without the marzipan icing for up to 2 months wrapped airtight
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