The Divine Ricotta Pie Recipe: A Magical Dessert Adventure
Creamy ricotta pie weaves magic into every slice, offering a delectable journey through Italian culinary traditions.
The rich, velvety texture melts on your tongue with each heavenly bite.
Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dessert, passing down treasured techniques.
Sweet and smooth, the pie captures the essence of comfort and indulgence.
Simple ingredients combine to create something truly extraordinary.
The golden crust cradles a luxurious filling that promises pure delight.
You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this irresistible treat.
How to Bake a Creamy Ricotta Pie at Home
Create Tender Pastry Blend dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring everything mixes smoothly and evenly.
Craft Crumbly Texture Cut chilled butter into the flour mixture using quick, gentle movements until the blend resembles rough, sandy crumbs.
Form Silky Dough Introduce eggs and vanilla, stirring carefully until a soft, cohesive pastry emerges that pulls away from the bowl's sides.
Chill Pastry Wrap the dough in plastic film and let it rest in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and texture to develop.
Prepare Ricotta Filling Combine creamy ricotta with sweet eggs, delicate spices, and a hint of zesty citrus to create a luxurious, smooth mixture.
Shape Pie Crust Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface, draping it gently into a waiting pie dish with elegant, rustic edges.
Pour and Bake Carefully transfer the ricotta filling into the prepared crust, sliding the pie into a preheated oven until the center sets and the top turns a golden, appetizing brown.
Cool and Serve Allow the pie to rest and settle, then slice and present a decadent dessert that promises pure culinary delight.
Creative Ideas for Ricotta Pie Variations
Crust Perfection Trick: Roll out dough between two sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure an even thickness.
Filling Flexibility: Swap ricotta for mascarpone for a richer, creamier texture that adds luxurious depth to your pie.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum to maintain the crust's structure and texture.
Flavor Boost Option: Incorporate lemon zest or orange extract into the ricotta filling for a bright, citrusy undertone that elevates the entire dessert.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pie crust and filling up to two days in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to save time on baking day.
Ricotta Pie Plating That Looks Elegant
Brunch Centerpiece Delight: Serve this ricotta pie as the star of your weekend brunch, accompanied by fresh berries and a light mimosa for a truly elegant morning spread.
Dessert Companion Magic: Pair each slice with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a drizzle of honey to enhance the pie's creamy texture and add a touch of sweetness.
Picnic Perfect Treat: Pack individual slices for outdoor gatherings, wrapping them carefully in parchment paper for a portable and impressive potluck contribution that will wow friends and family.
Coffee Time Companion: Enjoy a warm slice alongside your favorite cappuccino or espresso, creating a delightful afternoon snack that feels both comforting and sophisticated.
How to Store Ricotta Pie Without the Crumble
Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the ricotta pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping it fresh and delicious.
Smart Slice Separation: Place wax paper between individual slices when storing to prevent sticking and maintain the pie's beautiful texture.
Freezing Magic: Wrap the whole pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months for later enjoyment.
Room Temperature Tips: Let the pie sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance its flavor and softness, especially if coming directly from the refrigerator.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 400 kcal
Servings: 8
Ricotta Pie Must-Have Ingredients
For Pie Crust Base:
Flour: Provides structure and stability for the pie crust, choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best texture.
Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with golden browning of the crust.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the pie.
Baking Powder: Creates light and tender texture, ensuring a flaky pie crust.
For Binding and Flavor:
Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers when cut into dry ingredients, use high-quality unsalted butter for rich taste.
Eggs: Bind the dough together and add richness, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
Vanilla: Introduces warm, aromatic undertones that complement the pie's overall flavor profile.
For Preparation Technique:
Plastic Wrap: Helps dough rest and prevents moisture loss during chilling, use food-grade clear wrap for best results.
Kitchen Essentials for a Fluffy Ricotta Pie
Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and making dough.
Pastry cutter or fork: Perfect for cutting cold butter into flour mixture.
Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients smoothly.
Plastic wrap: Needed to cover and chill dough.
Rolling pin: Used to roll out pie crust evenly.
9-inch pie dish: Standard size for baking the ricotta pie.
Sharp knife: Helpful for trimming excess dough edges.
Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
Creamy ricotta pie embodies Italian culinary traditions passed down through generations. Delicate pastry and rich cheese blend create a sublime dessert that connects family and flavor in one memorable slice.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (500g) ricotta cheese (drained if watery)
3 large eggs
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter (cold & cubed)
1 ¼ cups (250g) granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp lemon zest
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp cinnamon (optional, for warmth)
½ cup mini chocolate chips or candied fruit (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
Dry Mixture Preparation: Whisk flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl, ensuring uniform integration and eliminating potential lumps.
Butter Incorporation: Cut cold butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter, creating a crumbly texture resembling coarse breadcrumbs with a sandy consistency.
Dough Formation: Gently fold eggs and vanilla extract into the crumbly mixture, working the ingredients until a cohesive dough forms without excessive manipulation.
Dough Chilling: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes, allowing gluten relaxation and butter solidification for a more delicate pastry texture.
Ricotta Filling Creation: Whisk ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a separate bowl until the mixture achieves a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
Crust Preparation: Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to an even thickness, then carefully transfer to a pie dish, pressing into corners and trimming excess edges.
Filling and Baking: Pour the ricotta mixture into the prepared crust, spreading evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at the specified temperature until the filling sets and the crust turns golden brown, approximately 45-50 minutes.
Cooling and Serving: Allow the pie to cool completely, enabling the filling to set and facilitating clean, precise slicing for serving.
Notes
Prevent Soggy Crust: Pat ricotta cheese dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crisp and flaky pie base.
Handling Delicate Dough: Work quickly and keep ingredients cold to maintain butter’s integrity, which creates a tender, light pastry texture.
Customize Flavor Profile: Experiment with lemon zest, almond extract, or cinnamon to add depth and personalize the ricotta filling’s taste.
Dietary Adaptation: Substitute gluten-free flour blend for traditional flour and use dairy-free ricotta alternative for lactose-intolerant or vegan preferences.
Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.
William Hawkins
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Education
Sullivan University, Louisville, KY
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.