Cassata siciliana

A Sicilian cake of liqueur-moistened sponge filled with sweetened ricotta, wrapped in green marzipan and decorated with candied fruit.

Cassata siciliana: A round Sicilian cassata covered in smooth pale green marzipan and white icing with swirled sugar piping, one slice cut showing ricotta cream filling and sponge
  • Cakes, cookies, pastries and baked goods
  • Italy

Also called: Sweet

Cassata siciliana is built in a round, slope-sided pan: slices of sponge cake line the base and sides, and the center is filled with sheep's milk ricotta beaten with sugar, often mixed with chocolate pieces or candied citron. The sponge is moistened with liqueur or syrup, and the sides are usually wrapped in a band of pale green marzipan.

The top is coated with a white sugar glaze or fondant and lavishly decorated with candied fruit, especially whole candied orange slices and cherries, sometimes with piped swirls of icing. It is a traditional Easter sweet in Sicily and is listed among Italy's traditional food products.

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Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. Cassata Siciliana, Visit Sicily (Regione Siciliana, Department of Tourism)