Heavenly Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie Recipe – A Dreamy Dessert

Crafting a delightful sweet italian ricotta pie will transport you straight to the sunny streets of naples.

Generations of italian cooks have perfected this creamy dessert with love and tradition.

Soft, billowy ricotta blends seamlessly with delicate eggs and a hint of citrus zest.

Fragrant vanilla and subtle sweetness create a magical harmony in every single bite.

Passionate bakers understand that such simple ingredients can spark pure culinary joy.

Families gather around, eager to savor each delectable slice of this classic treat.

Why You Should Try Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

• Effortless Elegance: Whip up this sophisticated dessert with minimal kitchen skills, making it perfect for novice bakers seeking a impressive treat.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Delight everyone from kids to grandparents with its creamy texture and subtle sweetness that appeals to all taste buds.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare this showstopping pie in under an hour, ideal for last-minute gatherings, potlucks, or spontaneous dessert cravings.
• Cultural Comfort: Embrace the rich Italian culinary tradition with a homemade dessert that brings authentic flavors and warmth to your table.

Italian Ricotta Pie Components

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy and smooth base for the pie filling.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the pie.
• Pie Crust: Flaky foundation for the sweet ricotta filling.

• Granulated Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Add delightful sweetness to the pie.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, classic flavor to the dessert.

• Lemon Zest, Cinnamon: Provide bright and warm aromatic notes.
• Flour: Helps to thicken and stabilize the pie filling.

Easy Tuscan Orzo: Quick Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a cozy 350°F. Grab your pie dish and gently press the pie crust into it, making sure it fits snugly. Use a fork to create little holes in the bottom of the crust – this helps prevent any puffy bubbles from forming.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Filling

• Ricotta cheese
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon zest
• Ground cinnamon
• All-purpose flour

Whisk everything together until the mixture becomes smooth and silky, with no lumps in sight.

Step 3: Pour and Prepare

Carefully transfer the luscious filling into your prepared pie crust. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, creating a beautiful, level surface that promises deliciousness.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pie into the preheated oven and let it bake for about 50-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a gentle golden color and the filling sets firm. Do a quick toothpick test – if it comes out clean, you’ve nailed it!

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Allow the pie to cool completely, letting all those amazing flavors settle. Just before serving, sprinkle a delicate layer of powdered sugar on top, creating a sweet, snowy finish that’ll make everyone’s mouth water.

Tuscan Orzo Tips That Deliver a Silky, Flavor-Packed Bite

• Prevent Crust Cracking: Brush the bottom of the crust with beaten egg white before adding filling to create a protective barrier and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Smooth Filling Technique: Strain ricotta cheese through a fine-mesh sieve to remove excess moisture, ensuring a silky and creamy texture for the pie.
• Temperature Control: Allow all ingredients to reach room temperature before mixing to create a more uniform and smooth filling with no lumps.
• Achieve Golden Perfection: Cover pie edges with aluminum foil if browning too quickly during baking to prevent burning while ensuring the center cooks evenly.
• Make It Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

How to Store Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of baking, keeping the pie in the original pie dish or transferring to a sealed container. Refrigerate for up to 4-5 days.
• Wrap the cooled pie tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 1-2 months to maintain best quality and texture.
• Remove pie from freezer and let it defrost slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent potential bacterial growth.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Alternatively, warm the entire pie in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent over-browning.

Sides That Fit Tuscan Orzo

• Pair Sweet Citrusy Notes: Complement the pie's delicate lemon zest with a crisp limoncello, highlighting the bright, tangy undertones of the dessert.
• Enhance Creamy Richness: Select a chilled moscato d'asti wine, its subtle sweetness and light effervescence perfectly balancing the ricotta's smooth texture.
• Create Contrasting Temperature: Serve alongside a hot espresso, which cuts through the pie's sweetness and provides a robust coffee counterpoint to the delicate dessert.
• Elevate Flavor Complexity: Garnish with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries, adding a vibrant, slightly tart element that refreshes the palate between bites.

Italian Ricotta Pie Combos

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace traditional pie crust with a gluten-free pie crust made from almond flour or gluten-free graham cracker crumbs. Use cornstarch instead of flour in the filling.
• Low-Sugar Version: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Reduce sugar quantity by half and add extra vanilla extract for natural sweetness.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap ricotta cheese with cashew-based ricotta or coconut milk ricotta. Use egg substitute like flax eggs or silken tofu to maintain creamy texture.
• Chocolate Infusion: Mix dark chocolate chips into the ricotta filling. Drizzle melted dark chocolate on top after baking for an extra rich chocolate flavor profile.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for a traditional Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie?

The key ingredients include ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, cinnamon, and flour. These components create the creamy, fragrant filling that defines this classic Italian dessert.

• Is this pie similar to cheesecake?

While both have a cheese-based filling, ricotta pie is lighter and less dense than traditional cheesecake. It has a more delicate texture and a distinct Italian flavor profile with hints of lemon and cinnamon.

• Can I make this pie without a pre-made pie crust?

You can definitely make your own pie crust from scratch using flour, butter, salt, and cold water. Homemade crusts often provide a more authentic and fresher taste compared to store-bought options.

• Why do you need to prick the pie crust before baking?

Pricking the bottom of the pie crust with a fork prevents air bubbles from forming during baking. This technique helps the crust cook evenly and prevents it from becoming puffy or uneven.

Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Creamy sweet italian ricotta pie blends classic Italian dessert tradition with rich, smooth ricotta cheese and delicate pastry. Rich flavors and silky texture invite you to savor each delightful slice of this authentic Mediterranean treat.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 pre-made pie crust (9-inch)

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Binding Ingredient:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• Powdered sugar (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Gently press the pastry dough into a 9-inch pie plate, ensuring even coverage and creating delicate crimped edges along the rim.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blend ricotta, eggs, sugar, and aromatic spices until the mixture achieves a velvety, uniform consistency.
3. Incorporate flour and citrus zest into the ricotta blend, stirring with careful, deliberate motions to prevent lumps and maintain a silky texture.
4. Transfer the luxurious filling into the prepared pie shell, using a flexible spatula to distribute the mixture evenly and eliminate potential air pockets.
5. Position the pie in the preheated oven, centered on the middle rack to promote consistent heat circulation.
6. Monitor the pie during baking, rotating once midway to ensure uniform golden coloration and prevent uneven browning.
7. Confirm the pie’s doneness by gently shaking the dish – the center should display minimal wobbling and appear softly set.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the pie to rest at room temperature, permitting the delicate filling to stabilize and firm up naturally.
9. Once completely cooled, delicately dust the surface with a fine layer of powdered sugar, creating an elegant, frost-like finish.
10. Slice and serve at room temperature, revealing the pie’s creamy, tender interior.

Notes

• Swap out regular flour for gluten-free flour blend to make this pie celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
• Consider using part-skim ricotta to reduce overall fat content while maintaining creamy consistency.
• Experiment with adding orange zest alongside lemon for deeper citrus complexity in flavor profile.
• Enhance presentation by garnishing with fresh berries or mint leaves for a vibrant, elegant touch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg