2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
1 cup whole milk
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
For the cheesecake batter:
1 pound ricotta cheese
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Calvados brandy
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 8" round cake pans with parchment and grease the pans, or use a 13" x 9" cake pan. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or fork until it's in small lumps, the size of peas or smaller. Add the milk, eggs, oil, vanilla, and almond extract (if using) and mix until incorporated but don't overmix. Pour the batter into your prepared pans (or pan). Mix together the ricotta, eggs, sugar, and Calvados until smooth. Spoon the ricotta mixture over the cake batter and smooth it into an even layer. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a sharp knife or toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing.