Italian Cafe Ricotta Recipes

ITALIAN CAFE RICOTTA

Steps:

• Combine the instant coffee and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Add the boiling water and stir to dissolve. Set aside to cool.
• With a blender or food processor, whip the ricotta and sour cream together until smooth. Add the cooled coffee mixture, rum (if using) and blend well. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
• Make the whipped cream: pour the heavy cream into a chilled mixing bowl and beat at medium speed until the mixture begins to thicken. Add the sugar and almond extract and continue to whip until the cream is stiff. Refrigerate until serving.
• To serve, melt the chocolate bits and spoon a bit of the melted chocolate into the bottom of a demitasse cup.
• Fill about 3/4 full with the ricotta mixture. Add another bit of melted chocolate, and a dollop of whipped cream.
• Garnish with chocolate curls or shavings and almonds.
• Serve immediately.

ITALIAN RICOTTA CAKE

Steps:

• Cream butter and gradually add sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, while continuing beating. Add brandy. Add flour and baking powder. Mix into a dough until the consistency is like Play-Doh®. Press dough into a greased and floured 9x13-inch pan. Refrigerate for 2 1/2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Beat ricotta cheese in a large bowl 4 to 5 minutes on high speed. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add sugar and heavy cream and beat until blended. Fold in egg whites.
• Spoon 1/2 of the mixture into the crust. Sprinkle 1/2 of the zests and 1/2 of the cinnamon on top. Repeat with remaining filling, zest, and cinnamon.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off the oven and let cake cool in the oven for 2 hours. Remove from the oven and chill completely before serving.