Sweet & Smooth Ricotta Cheesecake Recipe – A Heavenly Dessert

Light and creamy ricotta cheesecake brings pure comfort to any dessert table.

Whispers of sweetness dance through delicate layers of smooth cheese and subtle flavors.

Crafting this classic Italian treat requires minimal ingredients and simple techniques.

Soft ricotta creates a velvety texture that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Mediterranean culinary traditions shine through each delightful slice of this elegant dessert.

Unexpected hints of lemon zest can brighten the entire experience.

You’ll want to slice into this heavenly creation and savor every single bite.

Why Ricotta Cheesecake Is Light, Creamy, And Totally Dreamy

• Craft a Gourmet Dessert: Elevate your baking skills with this elegant ricotta cheesecake that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy treat.
• Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Enjoy a luxurious dessert that requires basic pantry staples, making it an accessible yet impressive option for home bakers of all levels.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a special weekend indulgence, this cheesecake adapts beautifully to various occasions and delights diverse palates.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dessert in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing you to plan ahead and reduce day-of stress while ensuring a consistently delicious result.

Everything You’ll Need For Ricotta Cheesecake Magic

• Ricotta Cheese: A smooth and creamy Italian cheese that provides the signature texture for the cheesecake.
• Cream Cheese: Adds richness and helps create a dense, smooth filling.
• Heavy Cream: Enhances the creamy consistency and provides additional richness.

• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps balance the tangy cheese flavors.
• Flour: Helps bind the ingredients and adds structure to the cheesecake.
• Baking Powder: Assists in creating a light and airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cheesecake.

• Eggs: Act as a crucial binding agent and contribute to the cheesecake's smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the dessert's flavor.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Provide a bright, citrusy note that complements the rich cheese base.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates an elegant dusting and adds a subtle additional sweetness.

How To Get Ricotta Cheesecake Right Every Time

Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Pan

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F. Grab a 9-inch springform pan and coat every single inch with butter, making sure no spot is left uncovered.

Step 2: Create The Creamy Cheese Base

• Ricotta cheese
• Cream cheese
• Heavy cream

Whip everything until it becomes silky smooth and irresistibly creamy.

Step 3: Integrate The Eggs

Add eggs one by one into your cheese mixture. Mix thoroughly after each addition to create a perfectly uniform texture.

Step 4: Mix The Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Baking powder

Ensure no pesky lumps remain in your mixture.

Step 5: Combine Wet And Dry Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the cheese mixture. Be super gentle to keep the batter light and airy.

Step 6: Add Flavor Boosters

• Vanilla extract
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 7: Pour And Smooth

Transfer the batter into your buttered springform pan. Use a spatula to create a perfectly even surface.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the center sets and edges turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 9: Cool Down

Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature for about an hour.

Step 10: Chill And Set

Pop the cheesecake into the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. This helps it set and develops those incredible flavors.

Step 11: Finish With Flair

Just before serving, dust the top with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve.

Step 12: Serve And Savor

Slice the chilled cheesecake and dive into its creamy, citrusy goodness. Enjoy every single bite of this classic dessert!

Tips To Help Your Ricotta Cheesecake Shine

• Prevent Cracking Woes: Gently fold ingredients and avoid overmixing to maintain a smooth, crack-free cheesecake surface.
• Room Temperature Magic: Allow ingredients like eggs and cheese to reach room temperature for better blending and consistent texture.
• Zesty Flavor Boost: Experiment with different citrus zests like orange or lime to create unique flavor variations of this classic dessert.
• Achieve Perfect Consistency: Use a water bath technique by placing the springform pan in a larger pan filled with hot water to ensure even baking and prevent drying.
• Storage Savvy: Wrap the cooled cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its delicious creamy quality.

Fun Ways To Remix Ricotta Cheesecake

• Chocolate Marble Ricotta Cheesecake: Swirl rich melted dark chocolate into the batter before baking, creating beautiful marbled patterns with intense chocolate flavor throughout the creamy cheesecake.
• Almond Berry Ricotta Cheesecake: Fold chopped almonds and mixed berries into the batter, then top with fresh berry compote and toasted almond slivers for added texture and fruity brightness.
• Honey Lavender Ricotta Cheesecake: Replace vanilla extract with lavender extract and drizzle local honey over the finished cheesecake, infusing subtle floral notes and natural sweetness.
• Amaretto Ricotta Cheesecake: Add a splash of amaretto liqueur to the batter and garnish with crushed amaretti cookies, bringing a sophisticated Italian-inspired flavor profile to the classic dessert.

What Goes Best With Ricotta Cheesecake

• Pair with Sweet Moscato Wine: Complement the delicate ricotta cheesecake with a light, sweet Moscato d'Asti from Italy, highlighting the dessert's subtle citrus and creamy texture while adding a refreshing effervescence.
• Create Berry Coulis Accent: Drizzle a vibrant raspberry or strawberry coulis around the cheesecake slice, providing a tart contrast that cuts through the rich creaminess and adds a beautiful color pop to the presentation.
• Match with Almond Biscotti: Serve crisp, traditional Italian almond biscotti alongside the cheesecake, offering a crunchy texture counterpoint and a nutty flavor that beautifully enhances the dessert's delicate lemon undertones.

How To Store Ricotta Cheesecake Without Losing That Texture

• Store the ricotta cheesecake in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap to maintain its moisture and prevent absorbing other flavors from the refrigerator.
• Keep the cheesecake in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Wrap the entire cheesecake or individual slices in multiple layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil to protect against freezer burn, storing for up to 1 month.
• Transfer frozen cheesecake to the refrigerator overnight for gradual thawing, allowing it to maintain its creamy consistency and prevent moisture loss.

Ricotta Cheesecake Questions? We’ve Got You

• How do I prevent cracks in my cheesecake?

Use room temperature ingredients, avoid overmixing, and bake in a water bath to create gentle, even heat that prevents surface cracking.

• Can I use low-fat ricotta for this recipe?

While possible, full-fat ricotta provides better texture and richer flavor, ensuring a creamier and more luxurious cheesecake.

• Why is it important to add eggs one at a time?

Adding eggs individually helps create a smoother, more stable batter by allowing each egg to fully incorporate without overwhelming the mixture.

• What if my batter looks lumpy?

Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature and use an electric mixer to blend thoroughly. If lumps persist, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before baking.

Ricotta Cheesecake Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet Italian ricotta cheesecake delivers creamy Mediterranean charm straight to dinner tables. Rich, velvety layers of classic dessert promise delightful indulgence you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dairy:

• 500 g (16 oz) ricotta cheese
• 250 g (8 oz) cream cheese
• 120 ml (1/2 cup) heavy cream
• 3 large eggs

Dry Ingredients:

• 120 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
• 150 g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder

Extras:

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 30 g (1/4 cup) powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Butter for greasing pan

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and generously butter a 9-inch springform pan, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, blend ricotta, cream cheese, and heavy cream until smooth and creamy, using an electric mixer at medium speed.
3. Incorporate eggs one at a time into the cheese mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a uniform consistency.
4. Sift together flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl to eliminate any potential lumps.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into the cheese mixture, being careful not to overmix and maintaining a light texture.
6. Add vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stirring until ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are lightly golden brown.
9. Remove from oven and allow cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
10. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours to ensure proper setting and enhanced flavor development.
11. Before serving, dust the top generously with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for an elegant finish.
12. Slice and serve chilled, enjoying the creamy texture and subtle citrus notes of this classic dessert.

Notes

• Prevent cracks by baking the cheesecake in a water bath, which helps distribute heat evenly and maintain moisture.
• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, lump-free batter and better integration.
• For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Experiment with flavor variations by adding fresh berries, chocolate chips, or swirling in fruit compote before baking for a personalized touch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 358
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 189 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0.6 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg