1 fresh pound cake, about 9" long & 3" wide
1 lb. ricotta
2 tbsp. heavy cream
1/4 c. sugar
3 tbsp. Strega or other orange flavored liqueur
3 tbsp. coarsely chopped mixed candied fruit
2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate coarsely chopped

With a sharp, serrated knife, slice the end crusts off the pound cake and level the top if it is rounded. Cut the cake horizontally into 1/2" to 3/4" thick slabs. Rub the ricotta through a coarse sieve into a bowl with a wooden spoon and beat it with a rotary or electric beater until it is smooth. Beating constantly, add the cream, sugar and Strega. With a rubber spatula, fold in the chopped candied fruit and chocolate. Center the bottom slab of the cake on a flat plate and spread it generously with the ricotta mixture. Carefully place another slab of cake on top, keeping sides and ends even and spread with more ricotta.

Repeat until all the cake slabs are reassembled and the filling has been used up, ending with a plain slice of cake on top. Gently press the loaf together to make it as compact as possible. Do not worry if it feels wobbly; chilling firms the loaf. Refrigerate the cassata for about 2 hours, or until the ricotta is firm.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, cut in sm. pieces
3/4 c. strong black coffee
1/2 lb. unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" pieces & thoroughly chilled

Melt 12 ounces of chocolate with the coffee in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate has completely dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and beat in the chilled butter, 1 piece at a time. Continue beating until the mixture is smooth. Then chill this frosting until it thickens to spreading consistency. With a small metal spatula, spread the frosting evenly over the top, side and ends of the cassata, swirling it as decoratively as you can. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, wax paper or aluminum foil and let the cassata "ripen" in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving.