Lemon Pistachio Ricotta Cloud Cake Recipe
Delicately citrusy, nutty, and impossibly fluffy, this Lemon Pistachio Ricotta Cloud Cake combines the bright zest of lemons with creamy ricotta and crunchy pistachios for a light, melt-in-your-mouth dessert perfect for any occasion.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 4 large eggs, separated
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- ¼ cup olive oil
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup ground pistachios
- Pinch of salt
- Zest of 2 lemons
Toppings
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Chopped pistachios for garnish
- Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch springform pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
- Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture becomes pale and creamy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes. This step helps incorporate air for a fluffy texture.
- Add Flavorings and Ricotta: Stir in the lemon zest, whole milk ricotta, and olive oil until the mixture is smooth and well combined, enhancing the cake’s moistness and citrus flavor.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the flour, ground pistachios, and a pinch of salt until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
- Beat Egg Whites: In a separate clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form. This creates the airy structure needed for the cloud-like texture.
- Fold Egg Whites into Batter: Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the batter in batches, using a spatula to maintain as much air as possible for fluffiness.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake is golden and set in the center.
- Cool and Garnish: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, remove the springform ring, dust the top with powdered sugar, and sprinkle with chopped pistachios for a beautiful finish.
Notes
- Use whole milk ricotta for the creamiest texture; draining excess whey can improve batter consistency.
- Be gentle when folding egg whites to retain volume and ensure a light cake.
- Ground pistachios add nutty flavor and texture, but can be substituted with almonds if needed.
- The cake is best served at room temperature and can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For extra lemon flavor, add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the batter along with the zest.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Lemon pistachio cake, ricotta cake, citrus dessert, fluffy cake, nutty cake, springform cake, Italian dessert