Torta della Nonna (Grandma's Cake)

Ingredients

Pastry:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg plus 2 yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons sweet butter and 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, melted together
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:

• 2 cups fresh ricotta (sheep's milk is best)
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 3 eggs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

To make the pastry, make a well in the flour, and place egg, yolks, sugar, butter and olive oil mixture in the center and proceed as you would with fresh pasta, i.e. bring flour in bit by bit until the liquid in the well is thick enough to bring together with your hands. Knead until the dough is smooth, then allow to rest 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the filling by mixing together the ricotta, pine nuts, sugar, lemon zest, juice and eggs in a bowl until creamy.

To assemble, roll out the pastry to form 2 (12-inch) circles. Place one circle down to line the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pan. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over this layer. Place the remaining circle of dough over the top and pinch together the edges. Place in the oven to bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove and serve warm or at room temperature with vin Santo from Cappezzana.