Homestyle Casatta

Casatta is a delicious rum soaked cake from sunny Sicily. It has a sweet ricotta filling and although my version is not authentic, it is a delicate and very delicious dessert. Your new favorite recipe is found below!
Homestyle Casatta
Serves 8-10
Give yourself 2 days to make this cake. The ricotta must drain overnight. After filling the cake, it rests for another 10 hours.
A 9 inch single layer cake. If using a double layer cake, please double the amount of rum syrup, ricotta filling and whipped cream. The cake can be a sponge, white or yellow cake. Cut the cake into two layers. Cut two 1/4 inch horizontal layers using a serrated knife.
Rum Syrup: for a single layer cake
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
Bring to a boil. When the sugar has melted add:
2 Tablespoons of white rum
Lightly dab this syrup over the cut side of the cakes, as demonstrated in the video.
Ricotta Filling: for a single layer cake
14 ounces of ricotta which has been drained overnight in a fine mesh sieve.
1/2 to 3/4 cup confectionary sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon orange or almond extract (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons white rum
3 ounces of shaved semisweet chocolate (optional)
Mix all ingredients together then spread evenly over the bottom layer of cake. Press gently.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 10 hours before serving.
Top with stabilized whipped cream
Stabilized Whipped Cream Topping: for a single layer
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon powdered gelatin
3 Tablespoons confectionery sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
In a chilled bowl, using chilled beaters pour cream into bowl and sprinkle the gelatin in a single layer over the cream (Be careful not to make this a thick layer. That will cause lumps in the cream. Otherwise, follow directions on the gelatin packet to bloom the gelatin).
Begin to beat the cream on low speed and as bubbles begin to form, slowly add the sugar, then vanilla. Spread this evenly over the cassata before serving.
To decorate the cake with traditional flavors use marzipan, candied citron, or other candied fruit, and chocolate shavings.
In my version, I used crushed amaretti cookies. Other flavor substitutes for the soak are: anisette or Samba, Amaretto, Grand Mariner, or orange juice. Enjoy!
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