31 Best Ricotta Desserts
Feb 21, 2023
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Get ready to indulge in the world of creamy, dreamy ricotta desserts! This simple ingredient is the key to adding a right, light texture to your favorite sweet treats. From ricotta cheesecake or cookies to a simple ricotta mousse or parfait, you’ll be amazed how many different ways this ingredient can satisfy your sweet tooth.
You’ve probably seen or used ricotta in savory dishes like pasta or pizza, but have you ever tried making ricotta desserts? If not, you’re in for a treat… pun intended!
You won’t believe the creamy and light texture ricotta gives to cheesecakes, bundt cakes, cookies, brownies, and other delicious baked goods. It’s also amazing as a mousse or a parfait with fresh berries or chocolate chips on top.
From quick snacks to satisfy your cravings to more elaborate desserts perfect for entertaining, this collection of ricotta dessert recipes has a little something for every occasion. Let’s dive in!
1. Italian Ricotta Cheesecake
Not only is this creamy Italian ricotta cheesecake an absolute dream, but it’s also great for making ahead of time! So if you’re celebrating with friends or family, you can just pull it out of the freezer, top with berry sauce, and dig in.
2. Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake
Ricotta cheese and fresh lemon come together for a cake that’s light, fluffy, and bursting with flavor! It’s a fantastic way to end a meal, but you could also serve it as a sweet treat for breakfast or brunch.
3. Ricotta Cannoli
Dark chocolate chips are mixed into the sweet ricotta filling and then enclosed in a flaky, crispy shell for a truly decadent dessert! The homemade pastries are a labor of love, but the end result is more than worth it.
4. Chocolate Ricotta Cake
The combination of chocolate, almond, and vanilla flavors in this moist ricotta cake is absolutely irresistible and makes for a delicious dessert! Best of all, the process is super easy and uses simple ingredients for the light and airy cake of your dreams.
5. Ricotta Tiramisu
While this take on Tiramisu may deviate a bit from the traditional preparation, it’s absolutely worth a try! Ricotta takes the place of the usual mascarpone for a different type of creaminess with a bit less tang.
6. Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cake
From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, there’s never a bad time for this amazing homemade Italian cake with ricotta cheese and chocolate chips! Finish with a simple dusting of powdered sugar.
7. Ricotta Mousse
You’re only 10 minutes and 4 simple ingredients away from this decadent, creamy, ultra-delicious raspberry mousse! This elegant dessert is great to prep ahead of time for dinner parties or a sweet treat any time.
8. Ricotta Cookies
Soft and sweet Italian ricotta cookies are dipped in icing and covered in sprinkles for a fun dessert with the perfect pop of color! The cake-like crumb and aromatic vanilla flavor with a little butter is hard to resist.
9. Ricotta Crumb Bars
Tender, creamy, sweet ricotta filling is sandwiched between a buttery crust and topping for the kind of dessert bar that’s good to the last crumb! The filling is reminiscent of cheesecake but much more delicate and soft.
10. Berry Ricotta Dessert
Low carb and keto-friendly, this ricotta dessert comes together in just 10 minutes! It’s fresh, light, and absolutely perfect topped with fresh berries. The lemon zest really enhances the vibrant flavor!
11. Zeppole
Also known as Italian ricotta doughnuts, these little treats are sweet and crunchy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. They’re incredibly light and perfect with a dusting of powdered sugar on top!
12. Almond Ricotta Cake
Fresh raspberries and sliced almonds make this elegant cake so dreamy, you won’t believe how easy it is to make! It’s tender and moist thanks to the ricotta, the flavor is spectacular, and the cake itself is simply gorgeous.
13. Ricotta Parfait
Sweetened honey ricotta, lemon zest, fresh mint, and mixed berries come together for a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for summer! Add raspberries and blueberries to the ricotta for a great red, white, and blue treat.
14. Ricotta Brownies
Rich, fudgy, flourless brownies with a swirl of ricotta cheesecake through the middle are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. They taste so indulgent, you’d never believe that they’re gluten-free!
15. Cannoli Pie
You’ll love this no-bake pie with all the flavors of a classic Italian dessert minus the hard work of making it! A combination of mascarpone and ricotta cheese over a vanilla cookie and pistachio crust and mini chocolate chips on top is cannoli perfection.
16. Ricotta Pastries
Soffioni Abruzzesi are the cutest little Italian cupcakes, but just wait until you taste the fluffy ricotta cream filling! You won’t be able to resist homemade shortcrust pastries combined with the sweet and lemony ricotta cream.
17. Cannoli Cheesecake Bites
Bite-sized cannoli-inspired pieces are dipped into chocolate for a mini dessert that looks as good as it tastes! They can be served cold, frozen, or at room temperature, which makes them great for parties.
18. Limoncello Ricotta Cake
This creamy dessert is surprisingly light and refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness. Best of all, it’s super easy to make and can be prepped in advance if you’re entertaining friends or dinner guests!
19. Raspberry Ricotta Breakfast Cake
Cake for breakfast? Sounds like a delightful way to start the day! This moist and fluffy coffee cake is packed with juicy berries, and the texture is a wonderful cross between standard cake and cheesecake.
20. Cannoli Bundt Cake
Starting with cake mix means this dessert is a breeze to whip up! Ricotta keeps the crumb super moist while the cannoli and chocolate chips on top turn it into an irresistible dessert perfect for any occasion.
21. Lemon Ricotta Cookies
If you decide to make this recipe just to use up some leftover ricotta, don’t be surprised if you find yourself buying more ricotta just to make it again! The cookies are soft, almost cake-like, and full of lemony flavor.
22. Italian Love Cake
Three layers of deliciousness come together for an easy yet impressive make-ahead dessert. Once you try a bite with the ricotta filling, fudge marble cake, and chocolate mousse, you’ll understand where the name comes from!
23. Vanilla Ricotta Dessert
You only need three simple ingredients and a whisk or food processor to make this luscious, silky dessert! Depending on the sweetener you use, it can also be prepared low-carb and keto-friendly.
24. Ricotta Blueberry Galette
Looking for a foolproof pie that’s rustic yet gorgeous and simple to make? This galette is packed with juicy blueberries and creamy ricotta cheese, and it only takes 45 minutes from start to finish!
25. Chocolate Ricotta Cheesecake
One bite of this deliciously moist, creamy, and flavorful cheesecake, and you won’t believe that it’s actually low in fat and sugar! With just the right amount of chocolate, it’s perfect for any occasion.
26. Chocolate Ricotta Pudding
This 4-ingredient recipe is egg free, no cook, no bake, and still turns out smooth, creamy, and super chocolate-y! It’s also super easy to make in about 5 minutes flat. Top with raspberries if desired!
27. Strawberry Ricotta Cake
Sweet, moist, and dense, this indulgent dessert is like a cross between a delicate cake and a rich cheesecake. Best of all, everything can be mixed in one bowl in about 5 minutes for a no-fuss treat.
28. Ricotta Mousse
Strawberries romanoff over a rich ricotta mousse is easy to make and sure to impress family or dinner guests! Smooth and creamy texture, ricotta pairs beautifully with the boozy macerated sweet strawberries.
29. Lemon Ricotta Tart
With only 6 ingredients and minimal prep, this dessert will absolutely blow you away. The creamy lemon ricotta filling surrounded by fine crumble is the perfect combination of textures and flavors.
30. Cannoli Cones
Craving cannolis but don’t want to go through the hassle of making them? This shortcut involves whipping up the traditional ricotta and chocolate chip filling, then stuffing it into your favorite sugar cone!
31. Italian Blueberry Ricotta Cake
It’s hard to believe this soft and extra moist delicious dessert can be ready in 1 hour flat! The cake is infused with orange aroma and packed with juicy blueberries for a guaranteed way to brighten your day.
More amazing dessert recipes
Let me know if you try any of these ricotta cheese dessert recipes.
Ricotta Desserts
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Place ricotta, honey, and cinnamon in a bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat the ricotta until creamy.
- Serve whipped ricotta with cake, cookies, fruit, or on toast.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
