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Home » All Recipes » Desserts

Desserts With Ricotta for Cheese Lovers

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Modified: Jan 11, 2025 · Published: Jul 5, 2022 by AmyG · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Desserts with Ricotta are the most loved desserts out there. You can make simple desserts or desserts with cheese that look complex but are really easy to make.

Today I'm sharing with you a compilation of ricotta cheese desserts includes Italian ricotta desserts, ricotta cheesecakes, cakes with lemon ricotta filling and chocolate chips.

This is the perfect compilation of ricotta desserts for cheese lovers.

Looking for more Traditional Italian Desserts? Try my recipe for Pitta 'Mpigliatta, Calabrese Chinulille or Calabrese Turdilli with Honey.

4 desserts with ricotta featured image
Jump to:
  • When Baking can I Substitute Ricotta with Cream Cheese?
  • Can I use Ricotta Cheese for Cheesecake?
  • What Desserts can you Make with Ricotta Cheese?
  • What Ingredients go with Ricotta?
  • Ricotta Cakes
  • Ricotta Cheesecakes and Pies
  • Equipment Recommended for Baking
  • Ricotta Cookies, Breads, Pancakes and Muffins
  • Pastries, Dips and Parfaits
  • Other Sweet Treats
  • PIN it Here
  • Comments

When Baking can I Substitute Ricotta with Cream Cheese?

Ricotta cheese is a soft ripened cheese much like cream cheese. Except ricotta has more moisture in it and sometimes need to be drained or excess water needs to be squeezed out using a cheesecloth.

In most desserts you can use ricotta cheese in place of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese. However, it's not likely you'll be able to do the opposite by substituting ricotta with cream cheese. Cream cheese is about twice as dense as ricotta cheese making ricotta an unsuitable replacement for cream cheese.

Mascarpone, on the other hand, can be substituted with cream cheese and vice versa because they are of similar consistency and density. Tiramisu is the perfect example of how cream cheese can be substituted for mascarpone.

Can I use Ricotta Cheese for Cheesecake?

Yes, you can use ricotta cheese for cheesecake. The texture will be slightly different, drier and a bit less creamy, even a little granular, but overall ricotta cheesecakes taste delicious.

What Desserts can you Make with Ricotta Cheese?

There are so many desserts that can be made with ricotta cheese. Ricotta can be used to make ricotta cheesecakes, ricotta cakes, ricotta dips, ricotta spreads, ricotta parfaits, ricotta breads, ricotta muffins or ricotta crostini just to name a few.

The possibilities are endless with ricotta as an ingredient for a sweet treat.

What Ingredients go with Ricotta?

Ricotta is a soft and mild tasting cheese which pairs well with ingredients like vanilla extract, fresh berries, lemon zest, powdered sugar. Often ingredients like flour and full fat cream are mixed in with the ricotta cheese as well to make the perfect dessert.

This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ricotta Cakes

lemon ricotta cake with blueberry glaze on a plate

This lemon ricotta cake with blueberry glaze is citrus-packed Lemon Ricotta Cake is a quick and easy bake with a fluffy texture and moist crumb. Top the cake with a colorful blueberry glaze for a truly perfect dessert!

Cannoli Cake in a grey dish

If you like Sicilian cannoli then this cannoli cake with ricotta is for you. Like the cannoli but so much more!

blueberry mug cake in a jar and on a piece of wood

Easy blueberry mug cake is a delicious dessert that is just for one! In less than 10 minutes, you can enjoy a moist and warm single serving cake.

amaretti bundt cake on a cake stand

This Italian lemon ricotta amaretti budino cake falls somewhere between a cake and a pudding. You will need a Bundt pan to make this tasty lemon ricotta amaretti cake which is often served in Italy at Christmas or other holidays.

lemon ricotta cake with glaze on a cooling rack

This moist, not so sweet lemon ricotta cake  is topped with a fresh lemon glaze for a delicious snack or dessert the whole family will love!

strawberry ricotta cake on a cooling rack

Easy ricotta cake with strawberries is a one bowl cake that you're going to love. It's light and reminiscent of a cheesecake but without all the fuss.

ricotta chocolate chip cake on a cooling rack

Ricotta chocolate chip cake is a keeper and you'll love it! It's a delicious blend of ricotta, mascarpone and chocolate, stuffed between two layers of a buttery crust that will make this the best ricotta cake you've ever tasted.

lemon ricotta cake on a cutting board

This lemon ricotta pound cake  is an easy pound cake recipe made with ricotta cheese, flavored with lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. It's delicious served on it's own with a cup of tea or coffee or served for dessert with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

If you like cakes, you'll love strawberry millefolgie cake, cake desserts perfect for a party and this pistachio pudding bundt cake.

Ricotta Cheesecakes and Pies

ricotta cheese pie on a white plate

If you enjoy cheesecake, you have to try this easy ricotta cheese pie recipe! It's a rich, indulgent treat that's easy to make and perfect for holidays or celebrations. In fact, it's a popular Italian Easter pie.

ricotta cheesecake swirl brownies on a white plate

These rich and fudgy ricotta cheesecake swirl brownies are rippled with a sweet and tangy Italian-inspired cheesecake and makes an unexpected delicious twist on a classic brownie recipe. It's gluten free too!

ricotta cheese dessert with raspberries on a white china plate

This no-bake ricotta cheesecake (with raspberries) is absolutely refreshing with a delicious raspberry whipping cream topping.

pastiera napoletana on a cake board

Pastiera napoletana is a much loved Italian dessert pie made with ricotta, wheat berries and candied fruits scented with the fragrance of orange blossom! This specialty from Naples is found on every Easter table throughout Italy and everyone has their own version

sicilian ricotta pie in a pie dish

This easy creamy sicilian ricotta pie with a hint of lemon is one of the creamiest, most delicious Pie you will ever make! Classic Italian Ricotta Pie is traditionally associated with Easter, but it might just be your favorite Pie all year round!

sicilian ricotta chocolate cheesecake with berries on top

Rich and creamy baked sicilian ricotta cheesecake recipe  and creamy this Chocolate Sicilian Cheesecake is made with both ricotta and mascarpone cheeses. The perfect ending to your favourite Italian meal or an indulgent treat all on its own!

cannoli filling pie with chocolate chips

This no bake cannoli pie is the perfect dessert. Creamy ricotta filling, chocolate chips and a graham cracker crust combine to make the best cannoli pie.

lemoncello cheesecake on a cake plate

Limoncello cheesecake (torta di ricotta al limoncello) is a ricotta-based Italian cheesecake that is easy to make with step by step directions. Serve as is or with your favorite topping

honey ricotta pie on a table

This honey ricotta pie is deliciously filled with creamy honey, and orange-zest flavored ricotta cheese, while the crust is subtly sweet with that perfect hint of rum.

vanilla ricotta cheesecake on a cake plate slice in a china plate

There's nothing like a simple rich and creamy vanilla ricotta cheesecake. With just 8 simple ingredients I'm sure this will be your new favorite keto cheesecake!

This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Recommended for Baking

Whenever you are using ricotta to bake you'll want to make sure that you have certain equipment and supplies on hand. You may need cheesecloth and a piping bag and tips. A serving tray will come in handy to serve desserts to your guests.

You will need cake pans. Parchment paper will come in handy too, to line your cake pan. A piping bag and an offset spatula will make filling and icing cakes a snap.

Ricotta Cookies, Breads, Pancakes and Muffins

ricotta cookies layered one on top of the other with glaze and little yellow stars

Lemon ricotta cookies with lemon glaze are soft, light, moist and totally addicting!

italian ricotta cookies with a white glaze and sprinkles layered one on top of the other

Moist and soft Italian ricotta cookies have a texture similar to cake. Glazed with a simple silky smooth vanilla glaze, and decorated with colorful sprinkles, you will love these delicious cookies!

banana ricotta bread with one slice laying beside it

This banana bread with ricotta is the most delicious banana bread you will ever have! Made with ricotta, olive oil and ripe bananas for a rich, moist breakfast bread that you'll eat right out of the oven.

banana ricotta muffins on a cooling rack

Banana ricotta muffins are a delicious and healthy breakfast or snack. They are made with ripe bananas, creamy ricotta and chocolate chips and then baked until the tops are golden.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes in a white plate with blueberries

Lemon ricotta pancakes are the fluffiest and most decadent ricotta pancakes with a touch of lemon. A great breakfast idea with added protein to give you an energy boost!

chocolate chip cherry scones layered one on top of the other in a beige plate

These chocolate chip cherry scones with ricotta are perfect the perfect addition to your teatime with creamy clotted cream and a sweet jam.

Plate of Sfingi dusted with powdered sugar

These Italian doughnuts called zeppole or sfingi are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. One of the softest pastry you will ever eat. Simple and easy to make, dust with powdered sugar for a sophisticated look!

Pastries, Dips and Parfaits

roasted red grapes and ricotta spread on crostini in a blue tray

Roasted red grapes with fresh thyme, ricotta cheese crostini are a crowd-pleaser for sure. This is a delicious appetizer to serve guests when hosting a dinner party or sport party. 

ricotta and persimmon desserts in a cup

Creamy ricotta persimmon dessert takes 10 minutes to make and is a great way to enjoy the fresh delicate flavour of persimmons on a smooth vanilla ricotta base.

filled cannoli on a white plate

Italian cannoli with ricotta aren't so difficult to make. All you need is a few cannoli shells and delicious creamy cannoli filling.

cannoli dip with a cookie in the centre

Cannoli dip is a creamy dessert dip made from whipped cannoli filling using real mascarpone cheese and served with chocolate chip cookies or broken waffle cones for dipping. 

ricotta parfait with strawberries in a clear glass

These creamy raspberry almond ricotta parfaits are made with only five basic ingredients. And, you only need about 10 minutes prep time!GET

peach and ricotta tartine on a slice of bread

This roasted peach and ricotta tartine  is the adult version of peaches and cream. Maple roasted peaches are piled on top of honey-sweetened whipped ricotta for a delectable combination.

ricotta cheese spread with honey drizzle on a cracker

Smooth ricotta cheese spread with honey is one of the most delicious flavor combinations that i have ever had. this recipe is easy to make and perfect on toast, crackers, salads and even pasta!

Other Sweet Treats

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  • Italian apple cake on wooden cutting board
    Rustic Italian Apple Cake (Torta di Mele) Like Nonna Makes
  • pizzelle cannoli shells with ricotta filling on a wooden cutting board
    Pizzelle Cannoli Shells: Easy No-Fry Sicilian Version

PIN it Here

4 desserts with ricotta featured image

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Hey, I'm Amy! And I'm so happy you're here!! So many of my favorite memories in life seem to take place around the table, especially when surrounded by the people I love. And of course, all the better when nourished by some seriously delicious food.

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