Zucchini Ricotta Bundt Cake is a fun take on a traditional Italian Ciambella breakfast cake. Made with ricotta cheese, zucchini, and lemon, this slightly sweet and dense cake is the perfect breakfast treat or midday snack that you’ll crave!
Zucchini Ricotta Bundt Cake may just be the most perfect way to start your day! This incredibly moist and slightly dense cake stays fresh for days and is so full of delicious flavors and a hint of lemon.
Serve this cake with a hot cup of coffee or espresso and you are set. I like to store mine in a glass domed cake stand on the table for all to see. You can slice and refrigerate this cake in an airtight container for up to a week. It will continue to stay moist thanks to the zucchini and ricotta in it.
This traditional Italian breakfast cake is often referred to as a Ciambella (ring-shaped cake). A Ciambella can either be savory or sweet. However, the sweet versions are not super sweet like American pastries. Which is why this Ciambella is perfect for breakfast.
If you love Ciambella bundt cakes, then you need to try these other takes on this classic Italian breakfast recipe:
- Orange Mascarpone Ciambella uses creamy mascarpone cheese and flavorful orange zest. Top with a glaze for an even sweeter treat.
- Olive Oil Bundt Cake uses flavorful olive oil, and lemon zest and juice to give the moistest cake imaginable.
- Pineapple Zucchini Bundt Cake is sweet and filled with fresh pineapple flavors.
- Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake is baked in a fun jubilee bundt cake pan and topped with a delicious honey lemon glaze.
- Lemon Ricotta Bundt Cake is ultimate fan favorite cake! You don’t want to miss this moist and lemony bundt cake.
- Cranberry Ricotta Cake is a delicious cake that’s perfect for the holidays!
Zucchini Ricotta Bundt Cake Recipe
This simple and delicious Ciambella is easy to make and comes together quickly. To start, you will need to grease a standard-sized bundt cake pan with cooking spray. If you don’t have a bundt pan, you can always use a springform pan or regular cake pan.
First, whisk together the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Second, use your handheld mixer to cream together the olive oil and ricotta until the mixture is very smooth and slightly fluffy; this can take about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the dry ingredients.
When you add the grated zucchini, be sure to squeeze out all of the moisture first. Finally, add the zest and juice of one lemon. Lastly, pour the mixture into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 50-55 minutes.
Be sure to let the zucchini ricotta Ciambella cool completely before slicing. Also, if you wanted to dress it up a bit, you could make a simple lemon powdered sugar glaze and pour it over the top. For another classic Italian recipe, be sure to try my delicious Taralli Dolci cookies!
I hope you enjoy this simple and traditional Zucchini Ricotta Bundt Cake. Please comment below if you try and the recipe and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Zucchini Ricotta Bundt Cake Ciambella
Equipment
- standard bundt cake pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup ricotta cheese, drained
- ¾ cup olive oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 medium zucchini, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a standard bundt cake pan with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the ricotta cheese and olive oil using a handheld mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Pour in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the grated zucchini, lemon zest and juice.
- Pour the batter into prepared bundt cake pan. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool on a wire rack for ten minutes, then remove from pan and let cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Hello!
I love using ricotta in baked goods. Is there any way to turn this cake into a double chocolate zucchini ricotta bundt cake? Any suggestions? Thanks!
Great idea. I would add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder and some chocolate chips to the recipe!
It’s in my oven NOW! Gonna drizzle with a little lemon glaze… CAN’T WAIT TO TASTE IT!
im making your cake rite now cant wait think ill put a lemon drizzle on it looks yummy
I hope you loved it!
Trying to use an abundance of zucchini and ran across this recipe. Wow! It’s a keeper. The texture and taste are unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. I followed the recipe exactly except I used a tube pan and baked for 45 minutes. After my initial taste test, I served it to 13 other people. 12 of them loved it. I did not call it a cake because that conjures up our American conception of what a cake’s texture and taste should be. Glad to see a cranberry ciambella because I was wondering what to do when my zucchini is gone.
How many cups of zucchini did you use? Thank you!
You will need about a cup of shredded zucchini. Enjoy!
great recipe
So happy you like it! 🙂
I have all the ingredients and am going to make it today! Excited
this cake looks amazing! I don’t cook with ricotta nearly enough
This sounds like the perfect breakfast to me. Can’t wait to try it!
This cake is perfection! Not too sweet and it has the perfect texture!
This was amazing! Such great flavor and way easier than I would have thought! Will definitely make again!
So happy you loved it!