Zuccotto: A Florentine Cake Fit for a Queen

With roots in the Renaissance, this liqueur-soaked, ricotta-filled dessert exudes timeless charm

Zuccotto, with a two-layer ricotta cream filling. Giulia Scarpaleggia

Zuccotto, a traditional Tuscan dessert from the city of Florence, is a showstopper: a sponge cake dome, brushed crimson with a local liqueur, alchermes, and filled with a mixture of ricotta and whipped cream, chocolate, and candied fruits. 

Old-fashioned, elegant, and quintessentially Tuscan, zuccotto is still one of the most beloved sweet treats of our region.  

Noble Origins

Zuccotto’s origins are related to one of the most inspiring and influential women of the 16th century: Caterina de’ Medici, a woman belonging to the most important family of Florence, who later became queen of France.