Ina Garten’s Fluffy Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake Recipe

Blueberry ricotta breakfast cake transforms ordinary mornings into delightful culinary celebrations with its tender crumb and bursting fruit flavors.

Weekend brunch enthusiasts appreciate this elegant pastry that balances rustic charm and refined taste.

Rich dairy ingredients create an incredibly soft texture that melts in you mouth.

Fragrant lemon zest adds bright, sophisticated notes that complement the sweet berries perfectly.

Generous fruit distribution ensures each slice contains a delectable mix of cake and juicy berries.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this breakfast cake elevates simple ingredients into something truly special.

Simple preparation means you can quickly craft a memorable morning treat: indulge and savor.

Why Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake Deserves Your Fork

• Elevate Breakfast Bliss: This cake transforms an ordinary morning into a delightful culinary experience with its perfect balance of sweet blueberries and creamy ricotta.
• Effortless Elegance: The recipe offers a surprisingly simple method that yields a restaurant-quality breakfast treat, making even novice bakers feel like professional pastry chefs.
• Texture Symphony: Enjoy a harmonious blend of moist, tender cake with bursts of juicy blueberries and a rich, creamy undertone that creates a memorable mouthfeel in every single bite.

Everything You Need for Ricotta Cake Magic

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: Rich and creamy foundation that provides moisture and tender texture.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a light, fluffy structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add richness to the cake.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds moisture, creaminess, and a subtle tangy flavor.
• Sour Cream: Enhances tenderness and provides a subtle tang.

• All-Purpose Flour: Structural base that gives the cake its shape and texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, airy crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet aromatic flavor to the cake.
• Lemon Zest: Provides bright, citrusy notes that complement the blueberries.
• Blueberries: Fresh, juicy berries that add bursts of natural sweetness and color.

• Confectioners' Sugar: Delicate dusting that adds visual appeal and subtle sweetness.

How to Bake the Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm oven to 350°F. Generously coat a 9-inch springform pan with butter and flour, tapping out extra flour. Set aside.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes until mixture becomes light and airy. Scrape mixer sides to ensure even blending.

Step 3: Incorporate Liquid Ingredients

• Ricotta cheese
• Sour cream
• Vanilla extract
• Fresh lemon zest

Mix until ingredients are well combined.

Step 4: Combine Dry Components

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Kosher salt

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Add Blueberry Goodness

Gently fold two-thirds of fresh blueberries into batter using a silicone spatula.

Step 7: Fill Baking Pan

Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth surface with spatula. Scatter remaining blueberries on top, pressing lightly.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide pan into preheated oven. Bake 45-55 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in center.

Step 9: Cool and Garnish

Allow cake to rest in pan for 15 minutes. Remove springform sides. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips for the Softest Breakfast Cake Ever

• Prep Ingredients Strategically: Bring butter, eggs, and ricotta to room temperature an hour before baking to ensure smooth mixing and optimal cake texture.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Stir batter minimally after adding dry ingredients to maintain a light, tender crumb and prevent tough, dense cake.
• Blueberry Suspension Trick: Lightly dust fresh or frozen blueberries with flour before folding into batter to prevent them from sinking during baking.
• Precision Baking Timing: Start checking cake doneness around 45 minutes using the toothpick method, accounting for slight variations in individual ovens.
• Patient Cooling Process: Allow cake to rest in the baking pan for 15 minutes after removing from oven, which helps stabilize the structure and prevents crumbling when removing.

Storing Your Breakfast Cake Like a Pro

• Freeze: Seal completely cooled Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake in heavy-duty freezer wrap or airtight container. Preserve delicious flavor and texture for up to 2 months without quality loss. Protect cake by removing excess air and wrapping tightly to prevent freezer burn.
• Refrigerate: Store leftover cake in sealed container with tight-fitting lid. Keep fresh and moist for 3-4 days, maintaining delectable taste and soft crumb. Place in refrigerator's middle shelf to ensure consistent cool temperature.
• Reheating: Warm individual slices in microwave for 15-20 seconds for quick serving. Alternatively, restore cake's just-baked warmth by placing in preheated oven at 170°C (350°F) for 10 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying and preserve moisture.

New Flavor Ideas for Ricotta Breakfast Cake

• Berry Bonanza: Swap blueberries for a mixed berry medley of raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries for a vibrant and colorful breakfast cake that bursts with different fruit flavors.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Fold chopped almonds or pecans into the batter and sprinkle additional nuts on top before baking to add a delightful textural element and rich, toasted flavor.
• Citrus Infusion: Replace lemon zest with orange or lime zest, and add a corresponding citrus glaze made from fresh juice and powdered sugar to enhance the cake's bright, tangy profile.
• Whole Grain Wonder: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or almond flour to boost nutritional value and create a nuttier, more robust breakfast cake with a slightly denser texture.

Blueberry Cake Recap That’ll Make You Smile

Culinary magic happens when Ina Garten’s blueberry ricotta breakfast cake graces kitchen counters.

Rich dairy notes mingle with sweet berries, creating perfection beyond ordinary morning treats.

Luxurious textures promise comfort with each delectable slice.

Home bakers can confidently craft this sophisticated recipe that elevates simple ingredients into extraordinary experiences.

Mediterranean influences shine through ricotta’s creamy embrace and zesty lemon undertones.

Breakfast becomes a celebration – share this masterpiece, spark conversation, spark connections, and watch followers’ hearts melt faster than butter in a warm pan.