Cassata or cassata siciliana ( kə-SAH-tə, Italian: [kasˈsaːta sitʃiˈljaːna], Sicilian: [kasˈsaːta sɪʃɪˈljaːna]) is a traditional cake from Sicily, Italy. Cassata consists of round sponge cake moistened with fruit juices or liqueur and layered with ricotta cheese and candied fruit, a filling also used with cannoli. Cassata has a shell of marzipan, pink and green coloured icing, and decorative designs. Cassata may also refer to a Neapolitan ice cream containing candied or dried fruit and nuts. Origin Cassata is believed to have originated in Palermo in the 10th century, when under Muslim rule. The word al-qaššāṭī (القشاطي, Arabic for ''the cassata-maker'') was first mentioned in Corleone in 1178.The Arabic word qas'ah, from which...