Now that we have Casper, holidays have taken on a renewed sense of whimsy and excitement. It’s so fun to be able to share old traditions and create new ones with him. I know that he’s not really old enough to know what’s going on, but we had a ton of fun making him a basket and making Easter a special day for all of us. I made marshmallow-cereal treats for some of our neighbors–Casper didn’t get any, but he thought they looked pretty cool because, SPRINKLES! We did get him some non-sweets-treats and packed his basket with some cute board books and Sean’s favorite Dr. Seuss book, plus a few plushies, and a fresh pair of moccasins. Sean and I dyed a bunch of eggs after Casper went to sleep on Saturday night. I LOVE dyeing Easter eggs and making the colors super vibrant and mixing colors. We “hid” Casper’s Easter basket underneath his favorite side table–it has cross bars under it that he likes to climb over all-day-every-day like some sort of baby obstacle course. We also dressed him up–which made my mother extremely happy.
For dinner we invited Sean’s brother, Geoff, and his girlfriend, Kelly, over for dinner. On the menu were deviled eggs (DUH!), a smoked pork shoulder with quince and sherry vinegar sauce (an idea we borrowed from a recent date at Toro Bravo), garlic-butter and vermouth shrimp (for Kelly, who doesn’t eat meat), potato gratin, spice roasted carrots with mint and feta, and a brussels sprout and kale salad that Kelly and Geoff made. The guys tried Sean and his friends home-brew (a super hoppy IPA), and I made kir royale to drink, as well. I also made this super moist Ricotta-Berry Cake. It’s so good, tender, and a perfect sweet slice to end a springtime meal. It’s so easy to put together, just 2 bowls, and is the type of effortless cake I think we all need in our arsenals. It’s perfect with a little dusting of powdered sugar or if you want to go crazy, which I did, a some barely sweetened whipped cream is the perfect accompaniment. I could also totally see making this cake with little chunks of rhubarb or even cherries in the summer.
In all, it was a pretty good day. Casper had fun, he was confused by all the happenings but got the hang of the festivities, was delighted by the basket full of goodies–especially the cookie monster Sean got him–and enjoyed showing off his pterydactyl-squawking skills for his Uncle and Kelly.
[recipe]
Ricotta-Berry Cake
Adapted from Bon Appetit
8 Servings
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
zest of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups ricotta
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted, unsalted butter
1 cup frozen mixed berries
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a 9-inch cake pan (I used a spring form pan) with parchment and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl rub the lemon zest into the sugar. Whisk in the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together the ricotta, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Fold in the butter. Fold the ricotta mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Gently fold in 2/3 of the berries. Spread the batter into the prepared cake pan and scatter the top with the remaining berries. Bake the cake until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes. Cool at least 20 minutes before un-molding. [/recipe]
Mariana @The Candid Kitchen
Your table setting looks so lovely! Thanks for sharing x
cindy
Thank you!!
Erika
I just want to steal Casper.. He is too cute.. Your Easter dinner sounds amazing and so does this cake. I mean garlic-butter and vermouth shrimp where oh where is the recipe for that!!!
cindy
I really need to share that one, it’s been a go-to lately!
Robyn
Obsessed with that cake stand! It looks like a doily in the best possible way! Love this look into your Easter celebrations.
cindy
Thanks! I got that cake stand from Safeway, if you can believe it!
Michelle @ Hummingbird High
Casper is adorable, and everything else is so cute! Sounds like you guys had a wonderful Easter.
cindy
Thank you, Michelle!!
Billy
YEEESS to this cake. I totally have the page folded down in the magazine to make and it looks like a perfect mix of cake and cheesecake? NEEDS IT.
cindy
YES! It’s pleasantly dense, like a cheesecake, but still cake-like. You DO needs it!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
Can I come over to your place for Easter next year? Because that menu is ON POINT. Love this lovely cake (and Casper, so handsome)!
cindy
Thank YOUUUU!!
Sarah // The Sugar Hit
You had the fanciest Easter! May I say, once again, that I totally approve of Yertle the Turtle as a book choice – one of the foremost resources on the topic of Turtle stacking. And Caspar is so cute in his mocassins, it’s ridiculous. And THAT CAKE. I’m all about ricotta cakes, all day erryday.
cindy
It was much less fancy than it appeared, haha! But, thank you!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
That sounds like a perfect way to spend Easter! What a great spring dessert! Yum!
termet
This cake must be amazing! It’s such a shame that berry are so hard to find and in the same time I love them so much 😀
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land
Cindy, Easter looked and (looks like it TASTED) like a mega blast! I love your pretty easter eggs. I never got around to making eggies this year … SAD! I know what you mean about holidays being SO much more fun! Just wait til next year when Casper can egg-hunt like a pro… I think Easter might be Teddy’s fave holiday because of that chocolate egg hunt… xo (PS the cake looks and sounds lovely too! And easy … my fave!)
cindy
Thanks Lyndsay!! If Casper is anything like his mother, he will totally be in it for the chocolate!