Keto Cassata Cake:  Dessert inspired by Messina 1347 Board Game

by Zaida Marrero

Welcome to our culinary adventure, where we blend the enchanting world of board games with the delectable delights of a keto-friendly lifestyle. Today, we present a mouthwatering creation that will tantalize your taste buds and cater to the dietary needs of you or your keto-loving friends: Keto Cassata Cake, inspired by Messina 1347 (by Vladimir Suchy and Fernandez Aparicio, RIO Grande Games) .

Eating a specific diet doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, creativity, or the joy of indulging in a delightful dessert. With a touch of inspiration, we have carefully designed this recipe, keeping in mind the dietary restrictions and preferences of our keto-loving friend, who also happens to be an avid board game enthusiast.

As we delved into the art of baking, we drew inspiration from the rich culinary history of Sicily. The origins of the Cassata cake can be traced back to this beautiful Mediterranean island, where it has been a beloved sweet treat for centuries. During the Arabs’ influence on the island, the Arabs introduced vibrant and exotic ingredients such as citrus fruits, almonds, and sweet ricotta cheese, which became essential components in Sicilian desserts.

The classic Cassata cake is a layered masterpiece, typically made with sponge cake soaked in liqueur, filled with a sweet ricotta and candied fruit filling, and covered with a smooth layer of marzipan. The cake is then intricately decorated with vibrant colors and ornate designs, reflecting the artistic traditions of Sicilian craftsmanship.

We have carefully crafted a recipe that captures the essence of the traditional Cassata, using keto cakes, cheese, orange zest, nuts and sugar free chocolate. We hope to create a guilt-free indulgence for our keto-loving friend.

So, Get ready to savor each moment of this delicious adventure as we present to you our delightful Keto Cassata Cake.

Ingredients:

Keto cake:

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup granulated erythritol 
• 1/4 cup half and half or heavy cream * optional
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 4 eggs
• 4 oz or 1/2 bar cream cheese
• 1 tsp Almond extract optional
• 2 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 bar butter
• Orange zest
• 1/4 tsp salt

Ricotta filling:

• 6 ounces (3⁄4 cup) whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 6 ounces (3⁄4 cup) mascarpone cheese
• ¼ cup erythritol confectioners’ sugar or more to taste
• ¼ cup chopped unsweetened chocolate chips
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon orange zest 
• 1⁄8 teaspoon table salt
• ¼ cup shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped fine

Instructions:

For the cake:

• Beat cream cheese butter and sugar
• Add eggs, vanilla extract and orange zest
• Mix dry ingredeintas  and add them to the wet ingredients. Let rest.
• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
• Divide batter in cup cake mold, don’t overfill
• Bake at 350°F (160°C) for 20 minutes rotating midway, until toothpick inserted in the middle is clean.

For the filling: 

• Stir ricotta, mascarpone, sugar, vanilla and zest in a large bowl until evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes. (Filling can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; stir to recombine before serving) .Fill the cupcakes and sprinkle with chocolate chips and pistachios before serving. 

Game Night  Tips

• Save leftover filling to eat as a dip with fruit, waffles, pancakes as examples.
• Listen to our podcast Messina 1347 Board Game Dinner Party to learn about our guest’s experience after playing the game.
• Other recipes inspired by this game are: Keto Rosemary Focaccia Bread, Orange Olive Salad, and Ragu Bianco.

Conclusion

It is very gratifying sharing drinks and  food with friends and family and playing a game afterwards makes the experience even better. Give this recipe a try and share your experience and your inspirations too.