Almond and Ricotta Cakes with Blackberry Cream Cheese Recipe

These tender almond and ricotta cakes are light, moist, and delicately nutty, paired with a luscious blackberry cream cheese topping. A beautiful balance of sweetness and tang, they’re perfect for afternoon tea or an elegant dessert.

Serves: 12

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: moderate

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1/2 cup almond meal

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda

125g unsalted butter, softened

1 cup caster sugar

1 tbsp orange zest

2 eggs

1/2 cup ricotta

Juice of 1 orange

Blackberry Cream Cheese

200g cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup icing sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Smooth blackberry jam, for topping

To Finish

Purple edible flowers, for garnishing

Method for Almond and Ricotta Cakes with Blackberry Cream Cheese

1. Make the Almond and Ricotta Cakes: Preheat the oven to 170°C fan forced. Grease and line a 12-hole mini muffin tin or 12 small cake moulds.

2. Whisk the flour, almond meal, baking powder and bicarbonate soda together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the butter, sugar and orange zest until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then the ricotta, until combined and smooth. Gently fold in the dry ingredients. Add the orange juice and fold until just combined. Divide the batter evenly between the holes and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden and just set in the centre. Set aside on a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Make the Blackberry Cream Cheese: Beat the cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla until smooth, white and fluffy. Transfer to a piping bag.

4. To Finish: Pipe a neat ring of cream cheese around the top edge of each cake, leaving the centre exposed. Spoon or pipe the blackberry jam into the centre, keeping it distinct. Scatter with purple edible flowers.

Handy Hints for your Almond and Ricotta Cakes with Blackberry Cream Cheese

• Adding the orange juice at the end helps to make a more delicate crumb.
• Make sure the ricotta is not watery or the cakes will be heavy.
• Assemble close to serving so the cream cheese stays clean and the jam glossy.

Coffee Pairing – Espresso Citrus Tonic

Pair with our refreshing Espresso Citrus Tonic for an unforgettably indulgent coffee break!

More Coffee Inspiration

Be sure to check out all of our latest Coffee recipes for more incredible desserts and drinks inspired by the latest and greatest Coffee Machines available now at Harvey Norman®!