Try This Heavenly Maple Apple Ricotta Cake Recipe Today

Sweet maple apple ricotta cake refines ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that captivates taste buds with its rustic charm.

Rich, moist textures emerge from carefully balanced components that whisper comfort and nostalgia.

Home bakers crave desserts that feel both familiar and unexpectedly delightful, and this recipe delivers precisely that experience.

Seasonal apples contribute natural sweetness and tender complexity to the cake delicate crumb.

Creamy ricotta cheese provides unexpected depth, creating a luxurious mouthfeel that distinguishes this treat from standard fruit-based confections.

maple warm, caramel-like essence weaves through each slice, elevating the entire flavor profile with its distinctive golden notes.

Each forkful promises a harmonious blend of autumnal ingredients that dance between subtle sophistication and homemade warmth.

Food and Drink Pairings for This Ricotta Cake

• Sip Sweet Cinnamon Tea: Brew a warm cinnamon tea that complements the cake's maple and apple flavors, creating a cozy autumn-inspired pairing that enhances the dessert's aromatic profile.
• Pair with Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream alongside the cake, which will balance the warm spices and provide a cool, smooth contrast to the cake's soft texture.
• Match with Aged Whiskey: Pour a small glass of smooth, aged whiskey that echoes the caramel notes from the browned butter and maple syrup, offering a sophisticated adult accompaniment to the dessert.
• Enjoy with Mascarpone Cream: Create a light mascarpone cream topping with a hint of vanilla to dollop on top, adding extra richness and a delicate layer of flavor that supports the cake's rustic charm.

Variations to Switch Up Maple Apple Ricotta Cake

• Rustic Pear Ricotta Delight: Swap apples with ripe pears for a softer, more delicate flavor profile. The pears caramelize beautifully, creating a rich, golden cake with a subtle sweetness.
• Cinnamon Walnut Maple Fusion: Add chopped walnuts and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the batter for a nutty, warm spice dimension. Sprinkle additional chopped walnuts on top before baking for extra crunch.
• Berry Maple Ricotta Remix: Replace apple slices with mixed berries like raspberries and blueberries. The berries will create pockets of jammy goodness throughout the cake, complementing the maple and ricotta wonderfully.
• Almond Maple Mediterranean Blend: Incorporate almond extract instead of vanilla and sprinkle sliced almonds on top. This variation brings a subtle Mediterranean essence to the classic maple apple cake.

Maple Apple Ricotta Cake for Cozy Days

• Elevate Fall Flavors: This maple apple ricotta cake transforms simple ingredients into a dreamy dessert that captures the essence of autumn with its rich, caramelized apple and maple notes.
• Master Brown Butter Magic: The technique of browning butter adds a nutty, complex depth that elevates the cake's flavor profile, creating a sophisticated twist on traditional cake recipes.
• Effortless Elegant Texture: The combination of ricotta and sautéed apples delivers a wonderfully moist, tender crumb that's both rustic and refined, making it perfect for casual gatherings or special occasions.
• Versatile Comfort Dessert: Serve warm or at room temperature, this cake works beautifully as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or elegant dessert, offering maximum deliciousness with minimal fuss.

Ingredients That Make Maple Apple Ricotta Cake

Main Ingredients:

• Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cake's texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide richness.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creates a moist, creamy texture with subtle tang.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cake's flavor profile.

• Apples: Fresh, slightly tart fruit that caramelizes beautifully and adds natural sweetness.
• Maple Syrup: Provides rich, deep sweetness with classic autumn flavor notes.

• Butter: Adds richness, helps with browning, and provides tender texture.
• Raw Sugar: Optional topping for extra crunch and caramelized sweetness.

Baking Instructions for Maple Apple Ricotta Cake

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Pan

Warm the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch cake pan with butter and place parchment paper at the bottom.

Step 2: Caramelize Apples

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt butter and add sliced apples with a pinch of salt. Cook apples until they turn golden and soft, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 3: Add Maple Syrup

• Reduce heat
• Cook for 2 minutes
• Remove from heat
• Transfer apples and syrup to a separate bowl
• Clean the skillet

Step 4: Brown Butter

Return skillet to medium heat. Melt remaining butter and cook until it turns golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 6: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Ricotta cheese
• Browned butter
• Vanilla extract

Step 7: Combine Mixtures

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture in two batches. Add most of the caramelized apples and maple syrup.

Step 8: Prepare for Baking

Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth the top and arrange remaining apple slices over the surface.

Step 9: Bake the Cake

Place cake in middle oven rack. Bake 40-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 10: Cool and Serve

Let cake rest for 10 minutes. Remove from pan using parchment paper. Slice and serve warm with a sprinkle of raw sugar and extra maple syrup.

Tips for a Moist Ricotta and Apple Cake

• Caramelize Apples Perfectly: Sauté apple slices over medium heat until they develop golden-brown edges, which enhances their natural sweetness and adds depth to the cake's flavor.
• Brown Butter Strategically: Watch the butter carefully while browning to achieve a nutty, rich aroma without burning, which will elevate the cake's overall taste profile.
• Avoid Overmixing Batter: Gently fold dry and wet ingredients together using a rubber spatula, stopping just when combined to ensure a tender, light cake texture.
• Check Cake Doneness Accurately: Insert a toothpick into the cake's center; it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs, indicating perfect baking.
• Serve with Elegant Touches: Sprinkle raw sugar and drizzle warm maple syrup just before serving to add a luxurious, glossy finish that makes the cake look and taste gourmet.

How to Keep and Reheat Maple Apple Ricotta Cake

• Refrigerate: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Room Temperature: Keep the cake at room temperature for 1-2 days, covered with a cake dome or plastic wrap to maintain moisture.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes until just heated through, which helps restore the cake's soft texture and brings out the maple and apple flavors.

Maple Apple Ricotta Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Maple apple ricotta cake brings rustic Italian countryside charm to your dessert table. Layers of moist ricotta cake dance with caramelized apples and rich maple notes, promising a delightful escape you’ll savor with each tender bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits and Sweeteners:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) thinly sliced apples (approx. 2 large apples)
• ½ cup (170 grams) maple syrup
• ½ cup (100 grams) sugar
• Raw sugar (for garnish)
• Warm maple syrup (for drizzling)

Dairy and Eggs:

• 1 stick (4 ounces or 113 grams) butter
• 1 tablespoon butter (for sautéing)
• 3 eggs
• 1 ½ cups (12 ounces or 340 grams) whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch cake pan with butter and parchment paper lining.
2. Caramelize apple slices in a skillet over medium heat with butter and a touch of salt, cooking until edges turn golden and slightly crisp.
3. Introduce maple syrup to the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer briefly. Remove from heat and transfer apples and syrup to a separate bowl for cooling.
4. Create brown butter by melting remaining butter in the skillet, cooking until it develops a nutty aroma and golden color. Set aside to cool.
5. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
6. In another bowl, blend eggs with ricotta, cooled brown butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-incorporated.
7. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using minimal strokes, preventing overmixing. Incorporate three-quarters of the caramelized apples and their maple syrup.
8. Transfer batter to prepared cake pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Artfully arrange remaining apple slices across the top.
9. Bake on the middle oven rack for 40-45 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
10. Allow cake to rest for 10 minutes after removing from oven, then carefully lift out using parchment paper.
11. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnishing with raw sugar and a drizzle of additional maple syrup.

Notes

• Caramelize apples slowly to enhance their natural sweetness and develop a rich, deep flavor profile.
• Brown butter adds a nutty, complex taste that elevates the entire cake’s depth and complexity.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and a more consistent cake texture.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake – fold gently and minimally.
• The maple syrup creates a luxurious glaze that keeps the cake moist and adds a sophisticated sweetness.
• Serve slightly warm to experience the cake’s most tender and aromatic state, with extra maple syrup for indulgence.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 366
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 295 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg