Description
Indulge in the perfect blend of sweet and savory with this delectable Sweet and Savory Apple Ricotta Bacon Cake. Layers of moist apple-infused cake are filled with a creamy whipped ricotta, topped with candied bacon, and finished with a luscious maple buttercream frosting. This show-stopping cake is sure to impress at any gathering or celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Ricotta
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, distilled vinegar, or lemon juice
For the Cake
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, skinned and sliced
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups ricotta cheese, store-bought, room temperature
For the Whipped Ricotta Filling
- 2 cups homemade ricotta (recipe above)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
For the Candied Bacon
- 1 lb applewood smoked bacon, cut into quarter-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
For the Maple Buttercream
- 2 cups unsalted butter, slightly cold
- 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
Instructions
- For the Ricotta: Combine whole milk, cream, and salt in a large pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then add vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes, strain, and chill.
- For the Cake: Preheat oven, prepare pans, cook apples with butter, mix dry ingredients, cream olive oil and sugar, add eggs and ricotta, then alternate with flour until combined. Bake and cool.
- For the Whipped Ricotta Filling: Blend ricotta and sugar, beat cream until stiff peaks, fold into ricotta mixture.
- For the Candied Bacon: Cook bacon until slightly crispy, add sugar, syrup, and vinegar. Spread on parchment paper to cool.
- For the Maple Buttercream: Beat butter until fluffy, gradually add powdered sugar, then cream and maple extract. Beat until smooth.
- ASSEMBLY: Layer cake with ricotta filling and candied bacon, frost with buttercream, and garnish with dried apples.
Notes
- This cake can be assembled a day ahead for convenience.
- Ensure the ricotta filling is spread evenly to prevent sliding during frosting.
- Adjust sweetness levels in the buttercream to suit your preference.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 48g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 69g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Apple Ricotta Cake, Sweet and Savory Cake, Maple Buttercream, Candied Bacon Cake
