This Ina Garten Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake Recipe is a moist and fluffy recipe, which includes fresh blueberries and ricotta cheese. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 55 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIna Garten Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for tossing with blueberries)
- Powdered sugar (for garnish, optional)

How To Make Ina Garten Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake
- Preheat and prep the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Prep the blueberries: In a small bowl, toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon of flour. Set aside.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add eggs and flavor: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract and lemon zest.
- Add ricotta and milk: Stir in the ricotta cheese and milk until the mixture is smooth.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in blueberries: Gently fold in the floured blueberries.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.

Recipe Tips
- Can I use frozen blueberries? Yes, just don’t thaw them—toss with flour and fold in frozen.
- What can I use instead of ricotta? Greek yogurt or sour cream are good substitutes.
- How to keep blueberries from sinking: Toss them in a little flour before adding to the batter.
- Can I use almond extract? Yes, swap half the vanilla for almond extract for a subtle twist.
- How to know it’s done: A toothpick should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
What To Serve With Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake
This soft and bright cake is perfect for breakfast or brunch. Serve it with:
- Hot coffee or espresso
- Fresh berries or fruit salad
- A dollop of whipped cream or yogurt
- A drizzle of lemon glaze or honey
- Scrambled eggs or a breakfast casserole

How To Store Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Freeze: Wrap slices in plastic and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight.
Blueberry Ricotta Cake Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Sugar: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Calcium: 80mg
- Iron: 1.5mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this the night before?
Yes, bake and store it covered at room temp or in the fridge overnight.
Can I use lemon juice instead of zest?
Use zest for stronger flavor, but 1–2 teaspoons of juice can work in a pinch.
Is this cake sweet or more like a muffin?
It’s lightly sweet and very moist—perfect for breakfast or tea.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
What size pan can I use instead of 9-inch round?
An 8-inch square pan works too—adjust baking time slightly.
Try More Recipes:
- Ina Garten Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe
- Ina Garten Raspberry French Toast Recipe
- Ina Garten Egg Salad Tartines Recipe
Ina Garten Blueberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake Recipe
Course: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes45
minutes310
kcalA moist and lemony breakfast cake made with ricotta, fresh blueberries, and a tender crumb—perfect for brunch or snacking.
Ingredients
-
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-
2 tsp baking powder
-
1/2 tsp kosher salt
-
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
-
1 cup granulated sugar
-
2 large eggs
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
Zest of 1 lemon
-
1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta
-
1/4 cup whole milk
-
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
-
1 tbsp flour (for tossing berries)
-
Optional: powdered sugar for garnish
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Toss blueberries with 1 tbsp flour.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest.
- Mix in ricotta and milk.
- Stir in dry ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in blueberries.
- Pour batter into pan. Bake 40–45 minutes.
- Cool and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
