Luscious Maple Apple Ricotta Cake Recipe for Sweet Moments

Weekends call for something special, and this maple apple ricotta cake brings pure comfort to your kitchen.

Warm spices dance through a moist ricotta cake that celebrates autumn’s bounty.

Ripe apples nestled into tender batter create a delightful texture that sings with rustic charm.

Sweet maple syrup weaves its golden magic throughout each delectable slice.

The ricotta adds a luxurious softness that makes this dessert utterly irresistible.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet elegant treat.

One bite promises to transport you to a cozy farmhouse kitchen filled with warmth and gentle sweetness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 9

Maple Apple Ricotta Cake Ingredients

• Apples: Provides sweet caramelized flavor and tender texture, choose firm and crisp varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for best baking results.
• Maple Syrup: Adds rich, complex sweetness with woodsy undertones, select pure, high-quality maple syrup for authentic flavor profile.

• Eggs: Binds ingredients and creates structure, use fresh room-temperature eggs for smooth batter consistency.
• Ricotta Cheese: Contributes creamy moisture and subtle tanginess, opt for whole milk ricotta for richer texture.
• Butter: Delivers deep, nutty flavor through browning process, use unsalted butter for precise flavor control.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall warmth and depth, choose pure vanilla extract over artificial versions.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides foundational structure, sift to eliminate potential lumps and ensure smooth batter.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps with caramelization, use fine-grain sugar for even distribution.
• Baking Powder: Generates lift and lightness, ensure it's fresh for optimal rising.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors, use fine sea salt for consistent seasoning.
• Raw Sugar: Optional finishing touch for added crunch and rustic presentation.

Equipment for Maple Apple Ricotta Cake

• Large Skillet: Essential for caramelizing apples and browning butter.
• Mixing Bowls: Two needed for separating dry and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining eggs, ricotta, and dry ingredients smoothly.
• Rubber Spatula: Great for gently folding ingredients without overmixing.
• 9-inch Cake Pan: Standard size for baking this delicious cake.
• Parchment Paper: Helps easily remove cake from pan.
• Toothpick: Used to check cake's doneness.

Instructions to Make Maple Apple Ricotta Cake

• Caramelized Apple Preparation

Gently cook apple slices in a skillet until they turn golden and soft, creating a rich, sweet foundation for the cake. The caramelization process develops deep, complex flavors that will elevate the entire dessert.

• Butter Transformation

Brown the butter slowly, allowing it to develop a nutty, aromatic quality that adds depth and sophistication to the cake’s overall taste profile. This technique transforms ordinary butter into a gourmet ingredient.

• Batter Creation

Blend dry and wet ingredients carefully, ensuring a smooth and silky texture. Fold in the caramelized apples and maple syrup, creating a harmonious mixture that promises a moist and flavorful cake.

• Cake Assembly

Pour the batter into a prepared pan, arranging remaining apple slices on top for a beautiful and rustic presentation. This step adds visual appeal and extra bursts of fruity flavor.

• Baking Perfection

Bake the cake until it reaches a golden-brown color and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cake to rest briefly, letting the flavors meld and settle.

• Serving Suggestion

Slice the cake and serve at room temperature, drizzling with warm maple syrup and sprinkling raw sugar for a final touch of sweetness and elegance.

Maple Apple Ricotta Cake Tips for Flavor

• Sprinkle ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the batter for a warming depth that complements the maple and apple notes perfectly.
• Fold chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter or sprinkle them on top before baking to add a delightful crunch and rich, toasted flavor.
• Top the cake with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent dessert experience.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this cake accessible for those with dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

How to Serve Maple Apple Ricotta Cake Warm

• Cozy Breakfast Companion: Pair this maple apple ricotta cake with a steaming cup of rich coffee or creamy chai tea for a delightful morning treat that warms your soul.
• Elegant Dessert Presentation: Serve thin slices on a rustic wooden board with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a few fresh apple slices for an Instagram-worthy dessert.
• Weekend Brunch Centerpiece: Create a gorgeous brunch spread by placing the cake on a decorative cake stand, surrounded by fresh seasonal fruits, and offering a small pitcher of extra maple syrup for guests to drizzle as they wish.
• Afternoon Tea Indulgence: Slice the cake into small squares and serve alongside delicate tea sandwiches and other pastries for a sophisticated afternoon tea experience that celebrates comfort and elegance.

How to Store Maple Apple Ricotta Cake

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep the maple apple ricotta cake wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. Refrigeration helps maintain its moisture and flavor for up to 4 days, ensuring each slice tastes just as delightful as the first.
• Counter Comfort: Room temperature storage works perfectly for 1-2 days. Place the cake on a covered cake stand or plate, protecting it from dust and maintaining its soft, tender texture.
• Freezer Friendly Approach: Slice the cake before freezing for easy individual portions. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 months, ready to thaw and enjoy whenever a sweet craving hits.
• Serving Temperature Tricks: Warm cake slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. This gentle warming process revives the cake's original soft texture and releases the warm maple and apple aromas.

Rustic Maple Apple Ricotta Cake

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Maple apple ricotta cake combines rustic charm with delicate sweetness from Canadian maple syrup. Home bakers can easily craft this dessert, creating a memorable treat that showcases seasonal ingredients with simple elegance.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (340 grams or 12 oz) whole milk ricotta cheese
• 3 eggs
• 12 oz (340 grams) thinly sliced apples (approx. 2 large apples)
• 1 stick (113 grams or 4 oz) butter
• ½ cup (170 grams) maple syrup
• ½ cup (100 grams) sugar
• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp butter (for sautéing)
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 pinch salt
• Raw sugar (for garnish)
• Warm maple syrup (for drizzling)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350°F and meticulously line a 9-inch cake pan with butter and parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Apple Caramelization: In a skillet, transform apple slices over medium heat with butter and a whisper of salt, coaxing them to a golden, crisp-edged perfection.
3. Flavor Infusion: Cascade maple syrup into the skillet, allowing a brief simmer to marry the flavors. Transfer the caramelized apples and their luxurious syrup to a cooling vessel.
4. Brown Butter Technique: Melt remaining butter in the skillet, developing a rich, nutty essence with a golden hue. Set aside to cool and concentrate its complex flavor profile.
5. Dry Mixture Preparation: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the cake.
6. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Harmonize eggs, ricotta, cooled brown butter, and vanilla extract into a silky, smooth emulsion that promises decadent texture.
7. Batter Assembly: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture with minimal stirring. Fold in three-quarters of the caramelized apples and their maple-infused essence.
8. Cake Formation: Gently pour the batter into the prepared pan, leveling the surface with precision. Artfully crown the top with remaining apple slices.
9. Baking Process: Position the cake on the middle oven rack, baking for 40-45 minutes. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and pristine.
10. Cooling and Presentation: Rest the cake for 10 minutes post-baking, then carefully liberate it from the pan using the parchment paper liner.
11. Final Touch: Serve the cake warm or at ambient temperature, embellishing with a sprinkle of raw sugar and a graceful drizzle of additional maple syrup.

Notes

• Butter Browning Technique: Creating brown butter adds a rich, nutty depth that elevates the entire cake’s flavor profile, intensifying the overall taste experience.
• Apple Caramelization Tip: Ensure apple slices are cooked until golden edges appear, which concentrates their natural sweetness and provides a complex caramelized texture.
• Minimal Mixing Method: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using few strokes to maintain a tender, light cake crumb and prevent potential toughness.
• Temperature Precision: Baking at 350°F ensures even cooking, allowing the cake to develop a golden exterior while keeping the interior moist and perfectly baked.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg