Name: Apricot & ricotta torte
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 100g butter cut into cubes; 100g ground almond; 100g self-raising flour; 100g golden caster sugar; 1large egg; 250g tub ricotta cheese; 2large eggs; 6 tbsp soured cream; 50g golden caster sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 8small apricots halved and stoned (or use canned); icing sugar for dusting

For the base

100g butter
cut into cubes
100g ground almond
100g self-raising flour
100g golden caster sugar
1large egg

For the topping

250g tub ricotta
cheese
2large eggs
6 tbsp soured cream
50g golden caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
8small apricots
halved and stoned (or use canned)
icing sugar
for dusting

Method

step 1
Preheat the oven to fan 140C/conventional 160C/gas 3. Tip all the ingredients for the base, except for the egg, into a food processor and blend until like breadcrumbs. Add the egg and blend again to make a paste. Scrape onto the base of a greased 24cm loose-bottomed springform tin, spread with a spatula then bake for 25 minutes until risen and just set.
step 2
Meanwhile beat the ricotta in a bowl with the eggs, soured cream, sugar and vanilla, then when the base has had its 25 minutes, take it out of the oven. Quickly scatter the apricots over the base and pour the cheese mixture on top. Return to the oven for 50 minutes more until the mixture has set and is starting to turn golden round the edges.
step 3
Run a knife round the cake to release it from the sides of the tin then cool and chill. You can make this a day ahead.
step 4
Transport the tin covered with cling film or foil, then turn out and dust with icing sugar when you get there.