Description
This Italian Ricotta Pie offers a delightful sweet twist with its creamy ricotta filling enhanced by hints of vanilla, lemon zest, and almond extract. Mixed with juicy raisins and baked in a flaky pie crust, it’s a perfect dessert to share with family and friends for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup raisins
Crust
- 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pie evenly.
- Mix the ricotta and sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and sugar, stirring until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Add flavorings and eggs: Incorporate the eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and almond extract into the ricotta mixture. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well blended.
- Fold in raisins: Gently fold the raisins into the mixture, distributing them evenly without overmixing to maintain texture.
- Prepare the pie crust: Place the pie crust into a pie dish if not already done, making sure it fits well and the edges are trimmed or crimped.
- Fill the crust: Pour the ricotta filling mixture into the prepared pie crust, spreading it evenly.
- Bake the pie: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the filling is set and slightly golden on top.
- Cool before serving: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely, which helps the filling to firm up for clean slicing and enhanced flavor.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk ricotta cheese rather than part-skim.
- Soaking raisins in warm water or a bit of rum for 10 minutes before folding them in can plump them up and add extra moisture.
- The pie can be served chilled or at room temperature based on preference.
- Optional: Dust the top with powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness and decoration.
- Leftovers should be refrigerated and consumed within 3 days for optimal freshness.
