Sicilian Cassata Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups Flour , sifted
• 2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1 tsp. Salt + a pinch for whipping egg whites
• 8 large Eggs , separated
• 1-1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
• 2 tsp. pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted Butter , melted and cooled
• 1 recipe Rum Soaking Syrup
• 1 recipe Ricotta Filling
• 1 recipe Whipped Cream Frosting
• Fresh Berries or Candied Cherries for garnish
• 2 cups Granulated Sugar
• 3/4 cup Cold Water
• 1/2 cup Rum
• 2 cups part skim Ricotta Cheese
• 3 Tbsp. Sugar
• 1-1/2 tsp. Vanilla
• 1 cup Whipping Cream , whipped
• 1 cup semisweet mini Chocolate Chips
• zest from 1 Orange
• 2 cups Whipping Cream
• 2 Tbsp. Confectioner’s Sugar
• 1/2 tsp. Vanilla