What Sicilian cake is filled with ricotta, sponge cake, and candied fruit? Cassata is the correct answer.
Cassata, often called cassata siciliana, is a richly decorated cake from Sicily. The traditional version uses round sponge cake moistened with fruit juice or liqueur, layered with sweetened ricotta and candied fruit. Its exterior is commonly covered with marzipan, colored icing, and elaborate decorations.
The dessert is strongly associated with Palermo and is believed to have developed during the period of Muslim rule in Sicily, beginning around the 10th century. Arab culinary influence introduced ingredients and techniques that helped shape the cake, while later Norman and Spanish influences contributed to its modern style.
Cassata is easy to confuse with cannoli because both often use sweetened ricotta and candied fruit. Cannoli, however, are crisp tube-shaped pastries filled after frying; cassata is a layered cake. Regional versions also vary: cassata al forno is baked, while some international versions resemble ice-cream cakes.