Italian Christmas Cake Dessert: Christmas Cassata

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Are you looking for a Christmas cake recipe? This tradition of Italian Christmas cakes has a long history and today I’m sharing this easy Cassata cake recipe that I think you’ll love!

Christmas Cassata Recipe

I was just browsing for an Italian Christmas Cake to take to a friend’s upcoming party when came upon a few recipes for a Christmas Cassata cake and decided to tweak and combine them and give it a go at making my very first Italian Christmas cake. 

I combined a few recipes I think I am in love! I am a big fan of ricotta cheese, and let me tell you – the combination of the cheese and chocolate is out of this world. 

Another thing that excited me about the way that I made this recipe is that it uses a ready made pound cake that I can pick up at the bakery or grocery store, and that means one less step for me – and the result is still a yummy and fancy looking Christmas cake! 

What is a Christmas Cassata? 

I was wondering the same thing! After hearing about them from a friend who told me her grandmother had the most wonderful Italian Christmas cake recipe called a Christmas Cassata cake, I went searching. 

It turns out, a cassata is a traditional Italian dessert that includes layers of cake (often liqueur soaked) along with chocolate, ricotta cheese and candied fruits. We use cherries in this recipe today but you can also include raisins if you are looking to make it even more traditional. (my kids voted no raisins, so we just went with cherries!) 

Ingredients for Italian Christmas Cake

• 1 can (16 1/2 ounces) pitted dark sweet cherries, drained and syrup reserved
• A container (15 ounces) of ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup frozen (thawed) whipped topping
• 5 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 loaf (16 ounces) pound cake
• A bag (12 ounces) of semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
• 1 cup firm butter or margarine, cut into pieces

How to make an EASY Italian Christmas Cassata Cake

Print the Recipe for this Christmas Cassata Italian Christmas Cake

(made with sponge cake!) 

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Italian Christmas Cake Dessert: Christmas Cassata

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

This traditional Italian Christmas dessert is so yummy and our easy (hack recipe) will help you to make as simple version of an Italian Christmas Cassata cake - just like grandma used to make (only much easier and less complicated) This recipe is made using a store bought sponge cake that you can easily turn into this yummy holiday dessert that everyone will love!

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Ingredients

• 1 can (16 1/2 ounces) pitted dark sweet cherries, drained and syrup reserved
• A container (15 ounces) of ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup frozen (thawed) whipped topping
• 5 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 loaf (16 ounces) pound cake
• A bag (12 ounces) of semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
• 1 cup firm butter or margarine, cut into pieces

Instructions

Add currants and 3 tablespoons of reserved cherry syrup in small bowl; reserve 1/2 cup cherry syrup. Let stand until currants are softened (about 10 minuntes); drain. Coarsely chop the cherries and then set aside.

Put ricotta cheese, whipped topping and 3 tablespoons of the orange juice in the food processor or blender. Cover and process until smooth. Move to a medium bowl and then fold in the cherries.

Slice your pound cake horizontally into 3 layers. Place the bottom layer on serving dish and spread with half of the ricotta mixture. Add middle cake layer. Spread with remaining ricotta mixture. Add top cake layer. Cover the entire thing with plastic wrap and refrigerate about 2 hours or until ricotta mixture is firm.

Melt the chocolate chips in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons of orange juice and reserved 1/2 cup cherry syrup until smooth; remove from heat. Beat in butter, a few slices at a time, using a wire whisk, until melted.

Refrigerate about 45 minutes or until thick enough to spread. Spread chocolate mixture over top and sides of dessert. Store covered in refrigerator.

Notes

You could add in raisins if you like, however we found that the cherrys were more than enough.
You will probably have left over chocolate (depending on the size of your pound cake)

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 315Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 227mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 0gSugar: 12gProtein: 3g

*Just an estimate

Did you make this recipe?

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More Holiday Baking Ideas and Christmas Recipes

Looking for more baking inspiration for the holiday season? Here are a few of our other favorite Christmas recipes: 

Easy Elegant Christmas Tree Cookie

Lofthouse Reindeer Cookies

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

What are your favorite holiday recipes to make? I love traditional recipes like this Italian Christmas Cake, and making a Christmas Cassata is a tradition for so many! 

Often, I’ll add in a few new favorites along with the favorites that we make every year, that’s what makes the holidays so special! 

I also love that these are all recipes that you can make for yourself, neighbors and friends. For gifting, considering picking up some cute oven mitts or kitchen towels to pair with your Christmas Cassata or other treats to make a fun and festive gift. Plus, it’s super affordable as you can find them at the Dollar Store! 

Make sure to follow She Saved on Pinterest for more of our favorite holiday recipes and ideas!

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