{"id":"cassata_siciliana_bbd79cd250","slug":"cassata-siciliana","title":"Cassata Siciliana","description":"An iconic Sicilian dessert layered with sponge cake, sweetened sheep's milk ricotta, and chocolate, elegantly encased in green marzipan and finished with ornate candied fruits.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":90,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":150,"activeMinutes":90},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"800g Sheep's milk ricotta","name":"Ricotta","quantity":800,"unit":"g","usQuantity":28.2,"usUnit":"oz","form":"drained","notes":"Sheep's milk preferred","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"300g powdered sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"powdered","notes":"for the filling","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"50g dark chocolate chips","name":"Dark Chocolate Chips","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"chips","notes":"mini chips work best","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 Sponge cake (Pan di Spagna)","name":"Sponge Cake","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"baked","notes":"standard 24cm cake","group":"Cake Structure","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"300g Marzipan","name":"Marzipan","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":10.6,"usUnit":"oz","form":"paste","notes":"almond paste","group":"Outer Layer","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 drop green food coloring","name":"Food Coloring","quantity":1,"unit":"drop","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"drop","form":"liquid","notes":"pistachio green","group":"Outer Layer","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"100g sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"for syrup","group":"Soak","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"150ml water","name":"Water","quantity":150,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for syrup","group":"Soak","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"30ml Maraschino liqueur","name":"Maraschino Liqueur","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"or Strega","group":"Soak","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"200g mixed candied fruits","name":"Candied Fruit","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"whole","notes":"cherries, orange, pumpkin (zuccata)","group":"Decoration","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"100g apricot jam","name":"Apricot Jam","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"paste","notes":"strained","group":"Decoration","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Combine 100g sugar (1/2 cup) and 150ml water (2/3 cup) in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil until sugar dissolves. Let cool, then stir in the Maraschino liqueur.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine 100g sugar and 150ml water","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Sift the drained ricotta through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Stir in the 300g powdered sugar (1 1/2 cups) and dark chocolate chips. Refrigerate until needed.","group":"Filling","title":"Sift the drained ricotta through a fine-mesh sieve","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Knead the marzipan with a drop of green food coloring until uniformly pistachio-colored. Roll it out into a thin sheet and cut into trapezoids that match the height of your sloping cassata mold.","group":"Assembly","title":"Knead the marzipan","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Slice the sponge cake into strips. Line the sides of a traditional flared cassata mold (lined with plastic wrap) by alternating trapezoids of green marzipan and sponge cake. Place a round disc of sponge cake at the bottom (which will become the top).","group":"Assembly","title":"Slice the sponge cake","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Brush the sponge cake with the prepared syrup. Fill the center with the ricotta cream. Cover the base with more sponge cake slices and soak with the remaining syrup. Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours, preferably overnight.","group":"Assembly","title":"Brush the sponge cake","timerMinutes":180,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Invert the cake onto a serving plate. Brush with warmed apricot jam. Decorate the top with mixed candied fruits in an ornate pattern. Apply a sugar glaze if desired for extra shine.","group":"Finishing","title":"Invert the cake onto a serving plate","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Authentic Cassata uses sheep's milk ricotta, which is creamier and more pungent than cow's milk ricotta. Ensure the ricotta is well-drained before starting.","cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Sicilian","Italian"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["noCook","bake"],"equipment":["Cassata mold (24cm)","Fine-mesh sieve","Rolling pin","Plastic wrap","Pastry brush"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["milk","eggs","wheat","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"hard","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"cake","note":"approx 24cm diameter"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The cake must be assembled and chilled at least 4 hours ahead to set properly."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Keep refrigerated in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.","reheatingNotes":""}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcassata_siciliana_bbd79cd250%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=3385d908-1d82-416b-aeed-e3678e6af595","imageAlt":"Cassata Siciliana — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cassata","sicily","ricotta","marzipan","candied fruit","traditional","italian dessert"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Cassata Siciliana","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T08:17:26.466Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T08:17:26.466Z","related":[{"id":"zabaione_e4ffd1c355","slug":"zabaione","title":"Zabaione","description":"A classic, ethereal Italian dessert custard that is light, frothy, and rich. Made with only three main ingredients, it features the deep, oaky sweetness of Marsala wine.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fzabaione_e4ffd1c355%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=14a2d3e3-eade-48a2-8950-b337e34134f1","imageAlt":"Zabaione — recipe cover","tags":["custard","italian dessert","marsala","gluten free","classic","zabaglione"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":6},{"id":"amaretti_5cd3652db8","slug":"amaretti","title":"Amaretti","description":"Classic Italian almond cookies that are delightfully crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["gluten_free","vegetarian","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Famaretti_5cd3652db8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0f1490d2-fcc5-4602-9b93-b736e5d167b6","imageAlt":"Amaretti — recipe cover","tags":["amaretti","almond cookies","italian dessert","gluten-free","dairy-free","chewy cookies"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":6},{"id":"gelato_fd4a03473b","slug":"authentic-italian-gelato","title":"Authentic Italian Gelato","description":"A silky, dense, and intensely flavored Italian frozen treat. Unlike traditional ice cream, gelato is made with more milk than cream and churned at a slower speed to create a signature creamy texture without too much air.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fgelato_fd4a03473b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d679ff2e-c3f2-4e9d-b7ad-993e029b136b","imageAlt":"Authentic Italian Gelato — recipe cover","tags":["gelato","italian dessert","creamy","vanilla","frozen treat"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":7}]}