Italian Ricotta Pie with a Sweet Twist
A delectable dessert that captures the essence of traditional Italian baking while adding a playful twist to its flavor profile, featuring a creamy ricotta filling in a buttery crust.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 350kcal
Ingredients
Crust
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 0.25 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Filling
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese, drained
- 0.75 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 zest of 1 lemon (optional) Enhances flavor
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) Adds warmth
- 0.5 cups mini chocolate chips (optional) For sweetness
- 0.25 cups candied fruit (optional) For texture
- 0.25 cups chopped nuts (optional) For crunch
Instructions
Preparation
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt until well combined.
- Add the cold cubed butter and blend until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Form it into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9-inch pie dish.
- Roll out the chilled dough into a thin circle that fits inside your pie dish.
- Transfer the rolled dough to the dish, trimming any excess and crimping the edges.
- Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until set, then remove the weights and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- In a cleanup mixing bowl, whisk the ricotta, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and cinnamon until smooth.
- If using optional ingredients, gently fold them into the mixture.
- Pour the ricotta filling into the pre-baked crust, smoothing the top.
- Bake the pie for 35-40 minutes, until the filling is set and lightly golden.
- Allow the pie to cool completely and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Chill your butter for a flakier crust. Experiment with flavors like orange zest or substitute ricotta with mascarpone. Ensure fresh ingredients for the best flavor.