CRANBERRY ORANGE RICOTTA CAKE

There are so many wonderful holiday flavors out there, but Cranberry and Orange is a definite favorite. When I think of fresh cranberries, it's always paired with oranges. The tart acidity adds such bright flavors and balances all the rich ingredients of the season. I am so excited to share this recipe with you because it's so easy, has a tender crumb, and uses ricotta to add that extra something special. It reminds me of a pound cake and needs no extra decoration, but I love serving it with extra orange slices and a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

It's such a beautiful dessert and is one of my favorite recipes of the year. I took so many photos. Don't you love it when oranges have the leaves still on? These lovely mandarins gave me so much inspiration.

CRANBERRY ORANGE RICOTTA CAKE

(makes one 9 inch cake)

adapted from Bon Appetit Raspberry-Ricotta Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 3 eggs, room temp

• 1½ cups whole milk ricotta, room temp

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled

• 1 1/2 cups frozen cranberries

• zest of one orange

(Orange Icing)

• 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup orange juice

Sugared Cranberries, optional for garnish

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9 inch cake pan with cooking spray and a circle of parchment paper. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Zest the orange over the dry ingredients. Rub the zest into the flour mixture to release the oils.

In a bowl of a stand mixer, whisk eggs, ricotta, butter and vanilla until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until blended. Remove from the mixer, then fold in the cranberries.

Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool before drizzling the top with orange icing. To make the icing, mix the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth and pourable. Garnish with cranberries if desired.

TIPS

• This recipe works well with frozen berries too.

• You can switch it out with lemon, lime or grapefruit zest.

• This cake is even better the next day. Great excuse to have it for breakfast.

• Store leftovers at room temp in an airtight container.

Did you make this recipe? Tag @mgracecreative_ on instagram and hashtag it #mgracecreative_