15 Amazing Ricotta Cake Recipes for Every Sweet Occasion

Ricotta cheese transforms ordinary cakes into incredibly moist, tender desserts that melt in your mouth. These Italian-inspired treats bring creamy texture and subtle sweetness to your baking repertoire.

From citrusy pound cakes to decadent chocolate creations, these ricotta cake recipes offer something special for every baker and occasion.

01. Crustless Italian Ricotta Cheesecake

This flourless ricotta cheesecake delivers creamy Italian elegance without the fuss. Bright citrus notes make it refreshingly light and naturally gluten-free.

Ingredients: 2 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese, 6 large eggs, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt.

How To Make Crustless Italian Ricotta Cheesecake

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and generously butter a 9-inch springform pan. Wrap the outside bottom and sides with aluminum foil to prevent any leaking during the water bath process.

2. Beat ricotta cheese in a large bowl until completely smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated and no lumps remain.

3. Mix in sugar, lemon juice, both zests, vanilla, and salt until the batter is silky smooth. Pour into prepared pan and place in a larger roasting pan filled halfway with hot water.

4. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the center is just set but still slightly jiggly. Cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

02. Vanilla Bean Ricotta Pound Cake

Rich ricotta cheese and aromatic vanilla bean create an exceptionally tender pound cake. This elegant dessert pairs beautifully with fresh berries and whipped cream.

Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened), 1½ cups granulated sugar, 4 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 whole vanilla bean (scraped), 2 tablespoons milk.

How To Make Vanilla Bean Ricotta Pound Cake

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and thoroughly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter, then dust with flour. Scrape vanilla bean seeds into a small bowl and set aside the pod for another use.

2. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in ricotta cheese and vanilla bean seeds until well combined.

3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture until just combined.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 65-75 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.

5. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

03. Sugar-Free Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Cake

This guilt-free ricotta cake uses almond flour and sugar substitute for a healthier treat. Fresh blueberries and bright lemon make it irresistibly flavorful.

Ingredients: 2 cups almond flour, ¾ cup sugar substitute (or regular sugar), 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 3 large eggs, ¼ cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 cup fresh blueberries.

How To Make Sugar-Free Lemon Blueberry Ricotta Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon almond flour to prevent them from sinking during baking.

2. Whisk together remaining almond flour, sugar substitute, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

3. Beat ricotta, eggs, melted butter, lemon zest, and lemon juice in another bowl until smooth and creamy. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

4. Gently fold in floured blueberries, then pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

04. Fresh Fig and Ricotta Loaf Cake

Creamy ricotta creates incredible moisture in this elegant fig cake. Beautiful sliced figs on top make it as stunning as it is delicious.

Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter (softened), 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 8-10 fresh figs (sliced), powdered sugar for dusting.

How To Make Fresh Fig and Ricotta Loaf Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly. Slice figs into ¼-inch rounds, setting aside the most attractive pieces for the top decoration.

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in ricotta cheese and vanilla until smooth and well combined.

3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together. Gradually fold dry ingredients into ricotta mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix the delicate batter.

4. Fold in half the sliced figs gently, then pour batter into prepared pan. Arrange remaining fig slices decoratively down the center of the batter in an overlapping pattern.

5. Bake for 55-65 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before dusting generously with powdered sugar.

05. Classic Lemon Ricotta Cake

This incredibly moist lemon cake showcases ricotta’s ability to create perfect texture. Bright lemon flavor makes it an ideal afternoon treat with coffee.

Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup unsalted butter (softened), 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 3 large eggs, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons lemon zest, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt.

How To Make Classic Lemon Ricotta Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch round cake pan, then dust with flour. Zest lemons first, then juice them to get the freshest, most vibrant citrus flavor possible.

2. Beat butter and sugar until light and creamy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in ricotta, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.

3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the ricotta mixture until just combined, creating a smooth, thick batter.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

5. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best texture and flavor.

06. Simple Orange Ricotta Box Mix Cake

Transform ordinary cake mix into something extraordinary with creamy ricotta cheese. This easy recipe delivers impressive results with minimal effort required.

Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix, 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 3 large eggs, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons orange zest, ¼ cup fresh orange juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

How To Make Simple Orange Ricotta Box Mix Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly. The ricotta will make this cake extra moist, so proper greasing prevents sticking issues.

2. Beat ricotta cheese in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, breaking up any lumps completely. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.

3. Mix in oil, water, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla until well combined. Add cake mix and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and thick.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 28-32 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before serving.

07. Zesty Lemon-Lime Ricotta Pound Cake

Double citrus creates incredible brightness in this tender ricotta pound cake. The matching lemon-lime icing makes it absolutely irresistible for any occasion.

Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter (softened), 1½ cups granulated sugar, 4 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lime zest, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice.

How To Make Zesty Lemon-Lime Ricotta Pound Cake

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and thoroughly grease a 10-inch bundt pan with butter, making sure to coat all the grooves. Dust with flour, tapping out excess to prevent sticking.

2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in ricotta, both citrus zests, and juices until smooth and well combined.

3. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix the delicate batter.

4. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60-70 minutes until golden brown and a long toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

5. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack. For the icing, whisk 1½ cups powdered sugar with 3 tablespoons mixed lemon-lime juice until smooth, then drizzle over cooled cake.

08. Gluten-Free Almond Ricotta Cake

This naturally gluten-free cake uses only almond flour for incredible moistness. A hint of lemon brightens the rich almond and ricotta flavors beautifully.

Ingredients: 2½ cups almond flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, 4 large eggs, ½ cup unsalted butter (melted), 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon almond extract.

How To Make Gluten-Free Almond Ricotta Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Almond flour can be delicate, so proper pan preparation ensures easy removal after baking.

2. Whisk almond flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, breaking up any clumps with your fingers to ensure an even, smooth texture throughout the mixture.

3. Beat ricotta, eggs, melted butter, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and almond extract in another bowl until completely smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes with an electric mixer.

4. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined, creating a thick, rich batter. Pour into prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula.

5. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Cool completely before removing from pan.

09. Decadent Italian Chocolate Ricotta Cake

This rich chocolate ricotta cake brings authentic Italian flavors to your kitchen. Known as torta di ricotta e cioccolato, it’s completely irresistible and surprisingly quick.

Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1½ cups granulated sugar, 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese, ½ cup unsalted butter (melted), 3 large eggs, 1 cup milk, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup mini chocolate chips.

How To Make Decadent Italian Chocolate Ricotta Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch round cake pan thoroughly. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together, making sure to break up any cocoa lumps completely.

2. Beat ricotta cheese until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in melted butter, milk, sugar, and vanilla until well combined and smooth.

3. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the ricotta mixture until just combined, creating a rich, dark batter. Gently fold in chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.

5. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream for an extra special treat.

Final Thoughts

These ricotta cake recipes prove that this creamy Italian cheese creates the most incredibly moist and tender desserts. Each recipe offers its own special charm and flavor profile.

Whether you choose citrusy brightness or rich chocolate decadence, these cakes will become treasured favorites in your baking collection for years to come.