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Can’t figure out what to do with ricotta cheese? These sweet and luscious ricotta desserts are the answer. Check out this crowd-pleasing list of recipes perfect to turn this fresh Italian cheese into a wonderful treat.
Published on May 2023/Updated on March 2025
I can’t get enough of fresh ricotta. I’ve published several recipes using this terrific Italian soft cheese, from this popular lemon ricotta pasta to this collection of wonderful ricotta recipes.
And I LOVE this convenient, versatile, creamy cheese for good reason!
First things first. Ricotta, made from milk and whey, has about half the calories and fat of mascarpone and cream cheese and is a much lighter alternative to cook and bake with.
While lasagnas and pasta may be the first recipes you think of, whole milk ricotta cheese can be used in all kinds of desserts—from delightful cakes to Italian ricotta cookies and ice cream too.
There are sweet ricotta recipes to please everybody!
Secondly, adding ricotta to desserts brings creaminess and moisture without weighing you down and gives you a lovely balance of sweet and tangy.
You’ll love how its fresh flavor pairs wonderfully with berries, citrus, fresh fruit, and chocolate, elevating cheesecakes and cakes and making the perfect treat for your celebration.
I’ve rounded up my favorite desserts with ricotta cheese, which will win over the hearts of anyone who tries them. They make wonderful endings to any meal!
Enjoy.
Lemon ricotta cake
This is absolutely one of our favorite cakes. It's a typical Italian crumb cake filled with a delightfyl lemon ricotta filling that tastes amazing. This is is my go-to cake recipe for any special occasion and I’ve lost count of the number of times I baked it. It's always a great hit!
Chocolate Ricotta Cake
Think of an ultra-moist, fudgy, slightly warm chocolate ricotta cake with fresh berries on the side for the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth texture. This amazing, elegant dessert is sure to impress.
Ricotta Cream, ready in 5 minutes!
You need only 3 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep time to whip up this fresh and melt-in-your-mouth ricotta cream. It's simple yet elegant, deliciously fluffy, and perfect with fresh berries, chocolate chips, and shortbread cookies.
Almond ricotta cake
This amazing Italian almond ricotta cake will become one of your favorite dessert recipes! It's flavorful, wonderfully moist for days, and sure to impress!
Raspberry Ricotta Cake
Moist and bursting with fresh juicy raspberries, this delicious raspberry ricotta makes a real treat. Plus, it’s easy to make in one bowl and turns perfectly every single time. I love it becasue it's perfect for all occasions, easy to transport to potlucks, parties, and any picnics. Everyone loves it!
Blueberry Ricotta Cake
You'll love this simple yet delightful blueberry ricotta cake that is fruity, ultra-moist, and full of fresh blueberries. A delicious treat perfect any time of the day.
Eggnog Ricotta Pancakes
Photo Credit: www.sugarandsoul.co
Fluffy, scrumptious, and made with a creamy eggnog and ricotta, these easy ricotta pancakes.are rich and flavorful with a hint of spice! Top them with butter, maple syrup, and whipped cream for a cozy family breakfast!
Lemon Ricotta Muffins
The wonderful combination of ricotta, lemon juice, and zest provides the best bright, fresh lemon flavor and a soft, ultra-moist crumb in this ricotta muffin recipe. It's the perfect treat!
Strawberry Ricotta cake
This is the perfect and moist fruity cake, packed with juicy strawberries, vanilla and lemon hints. No food coloring, no flavorings, but only fresh ingredients and cheerful strawberries for this simple yet super delicious cake. It's also a breeze to whip up (no beating is required!) and sure to impress.
Lemon Ricotta Cookies Recipe
Photo Credit: sallysbakingaddiction.com
Ricotta cheese, lemons, and almond extract and a sweet lemon glaze make these cookies fresh, light, and irresistible. Make a big batch becasue they are easy to store and they disappear fast!
Ricotta Muffins
You're going to love these ricotta muffins! They have the perfect balance between rich and tender texture and are easy to customize with chocolate chips or berries.
Baked Ricotta Cheesecake
Photo Credit: www.sugarsaltmagic.com
Creamy, fluffy, and delicious on it’s own or topped with blueberry sauce and berries, this baked ricotta cheesecake is made with a mix of ricotta and cream cheese. It's also easy to make ahead and perfect for a crowd.
No-Churn Ricotta Ice Cream.
Photo Credit: www.howsweeteats.com
The flavor, the light but rich texture, this no-churn ricotta ice cream tastes wonderful and different from your straight up vanilla.
Serve this with a honey drizzle on top and some toasted, sliced almonds, or pistachios. Sweet, crunchy, cold, creamy
Cake with Ricotta
This 1-bowl ricotta cake is moist, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a chocolatey taste in every bite. It's simple and easy to make and turns perfect every single time, and it’s so good that you’ll be making it again and again!
Ricotta Cheesecake with Brandied Cherries
Photo Credit: www.thelittleepicurean.com
Dense, creamy, and decadent, this ricotta cheesecake is baked with homemade ricotta and topped with sweet jarred cherries amped them up with a bit of sugar sugar and brandy. It looks absolutely moreish!
Homemade Cannoli Recipe
Photo Credit: www.sugarandsoul.co
Dreaming about an authentic Italian dessert made with ricotta, this cannoli recipe is for you! The crispy shell, the creamy sweetened ricotta cheese make these cannoli to die for and perfect to make you feel like you’re right in Italy.
Blueberry Ricotta Cake Recipe
Photo Credit: natashaskitchen.com
This soft ricotta cake is topped with juicy blueberries and looks and tastes wonderful if you served slightly warm and dripping with lemon glaze. And it looks amazing too.
Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Photo Credit: www.thelittleepicurean.com
These Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are super fluffy and the “lemon” flavor is very mild and quite floral. Garnish with homemade candied Meyer lemons and warm maple syrup to make a wonderful treat for your Sunday morning!
If you loved these ricotta desserts…
If you’ve enjoyed this collection of desserts made with ricotta cheese, what about more indulgent yet easy treats that feature fresh fruit or veggies? Check out these delicious and easy recipes!
- Apple cake
- Easy carrot cake
- Strawberry bread
- Orange cake
- Lemon blueberry muffins
- Blueberry cream cheese muffins
Please let me know if you make one of these incredible ricotta desserts! Leave a comment, rate it, or tag a photo #theclevermeal on Instagram. I would love to hear from you! 💛
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