Dessert: Cannoli Bundt Cake

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Lemon

Health benefits of Cannoli Bundt Cake

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

Nonstick baking spray, such as Baker's Joy or Pam Baking (with flour)
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/3 cup small-diced candied lemon peel
1/3 cup small-diced candied orange peel
2/3 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta (not drained)
1 cup whole milk

Instructions

Special equipment: a 12-cup Bundt pan and a pastry brush
For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray.
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, candied lemon, candied orange and chocolate chips. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar for 1 minute until pale yellow. Add the eggs, vanilla, lemon zest and orange zest; mix for 2 minutes. Add the ricotta and milk; mix for 30 seconds (don't panic if it looks like it's separating). Add in the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed for 1 minute just to incorporate everything together.
Pour the batter in the prepared Bundt pan. Set the pan on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven. Bake until fully cooked through, 1 hour.
Allow the cake to rest for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to finish cooling.
For the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the Marsala and granulated sugar. Whisk until the sugar dissolves. Poke holes in the cake with a skewer. Remove the glaze from the heat and brush onto the Bundt cake. Allow the cake to absorb the sauce and cool for about 20 minutes.
Before serving, dust the cake with powdered sugar if desired.