Modern Roman Libum Recipe or Roman Cheesecake

From a Taste of Ancient Rome. They call it a cheesecake. It is actually more like a cheese bun/cake with honey on it. From Cato. This is a a sacrificial cake sometimes offered to household spirits when the Romans honored them. Do not think Modern cheesecake. It isn't a thing like it.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 8  ounces ricotta cheese
• 1  egg, beaten
•  bay leaf
• 1⁄2 cup clear honey

Directions

1. Sift the flour into a bowl. Beat the cheese until it's soft and stir it into the flour along with the egg.
2. Form a soft dough and divide into 4.
3. Mold each one into a bun and place them on a greased baking tray with a fresh bay leaf underneath.
4. Heat the oven to 425°F Cover the cakes [see note on this] and bake for 35-40 minutes until golden-brown.
5. Warm the honey and place the warm cakes in it so that they absorb it. Allow to stand 30 minutes before serving.
6. NOTE: The Romans often covered their food while it was cooking with a domed earthenware cover called a testo. You can use an overturned, shallow clay pot, a metal bowl, or casserole dish as a brick.