In the glass below, there's more of the creamy ricotta dessert, speckled with chocolate chips and a hint of cinnamon, being lifted by a spoon.

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Enjoy this delicious Easy Ricotta Dessert inspired by Italian cannoli. Its creamy texture and irresistible flavor are sure to be a hit.

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If you’re a fan of Cannoli but don’t have all day to spend in the kitchen, I have a treat for you! This Easy Ricotta Dessert recipe is the perfect way to enjoy those delicious Italian flavors without all the fuss. I took the classic Cannoli flavors and turned them into a simple dessert that will be a breeze to whip up.

This Italian cannoli-inspired dessert is delightfully creamy and delicious

A dessert glass with layered ricotta and crumbs, topped with chocolate chips and cocoa, with a spoon.

Taste, Texture and More

The combination of ricotta and mascarpone cheese is simply unbeatable when it comes to creating a heavenly, rich, and creamy texture that will melt in your mouth.
Superfine sugar, lemon zest, and a hint of vanilla add a hint of sweetness and depth of flavor.
Miniature chocolate chips and the cookie crumb base add texture to break up the creamy richness.

A spoon lifting a portion of creamy ricotta dessert sprinkled with chocolate chips and a dash of cinnamon, with more of the dessert visible in the glass below

Ingredient Spotlight

A big platter of Amaretti Cookies with a white background.

We prefer using crispy Amar etti Cookies instead of the soft variety as a base to add texture and give the dessert a more authentic Italian flavor. However, if you want a slightly sweeter taste, you can use graham cracker crumbs instead. You can find both options in the cookie aisle of your grocery store.

A spoon in a glass of ricotta with chocolate chips and graham cracker crumbles.

Make It Your Own

Don’t be afraid to get creative and tailor your ricotta dessert to your taste and preference. Fresh berries can add a burst of freshness, while a drizzle of honey can provide extra sweetness. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try a splash of liqueur for a fun and grown-up twist?

Set Yourself Up For Success

Read Before You Cook: First, read the recipe from start to finish to know what to do.
Get Everything Ready: Gather all your ingredients and tools before you start cooking.
Use Good Ingredients: Use fresh lemon zest, good-quality cheese, and chocolate chips for the best taste.
Mix Things Well: When mixing the cheese mixture, ensure everything gets together well. It should be light and fluffy.
Taste as You Add Sugar: Add sugar a little at a time, and taste it to see if it’s sweet enough for you.
Chill Out: Let your desserts chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours until they’re nice and cold.
Cover Up: Before you chill them, cover each dessert with plastic wrap so they stay fresh.
Make it Look Nice: Before serving, sprinkle extra chocolate chips or cocoa powder on top to make it look pretty.

Storage & Freezing Instructions ❄

Leftover ricotta desserts should not be frozen as the texture may become grainy upon thawing. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Easy Ricotta Dessert

Quick and delightful, this Easy Ricotta Dessert combines creamy cheeses and sweet cookie crumbs, finished with chocolate chips.

Photo-illustrated step-by-step instructions can be seen below the recipe.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 0

Chill Time: 2

Total Time: 2 20

Serves 6

Ingredients

▢ 1½ cups amaretti cookie crumbs (or graham cracker cookie crumbs)
▢ 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
▢ 8 oz ricotta cheese
▢ 4 oz mascarpone cheese
▢ ½ cup superfine sugar (adjust to taste)
▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
▢ 1 teaspoon lemon zest
▢ ½ cup miniature chocolate chips (plus extra for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the Cookie Base:

In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with the amaretti or graham cracker crumbs until the mixture resembles wet sand.
Distribute the cookie crumb mixture loosely at the bottom of each of the six 4 oz ramekins or dessert glasses to form a loose base.

Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, superfine sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and ½ cup miniature chocolate chips.
Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the mixture on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until it becomes fluffy and light.

Assemble the Desserts:

Spoon the fluffy ricotta mixture evenly over the loose cookie bases in the six ramekins or dessert glasses, smoothing the tops with a spatula.

Chill and Serve:

Cover each ramekin or dessert glass with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until the desserts are thoroughly chilled and set. Serve topped with extra chocolate chips or a dusting of cocoa powder.

Tips

For a quicker chilling time, place the desserts in the freezer for 15 – 30 minutes before serving.

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Nutrition

Created by Erren Hart

Step By Step Instructions

Prepare the Cookie Base: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups (180g) of amaretti or graham cracker crumbs with 6 tablespoons (85g) of melted unsalted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.

Crushed graham crackers and melted butter in a glass bowl.

Distribute the mixture evenly into six 4 oz ramekins or dessert glasses to form a loose base.

A spoonful of crushed graham cracker being poured into a glass.

Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine 8 oz (225g) of ricotta cheese, 4 oz (113g) of mascarpone cheese, ½ cup (100g) of superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.

Beat the mixture on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until fluffy and light. Mix in the chocolate chips.

A bowl of rich ricotta cheese dessert filling speckled with chocolate chips, being mixed with a hand mixer, on a kitchen counter with a blue and white cloth underneath.

Assemble the Desserts: Spoon the fluffy ricotta mixture evenly over the cookie bases in the ramekins or dessert glasses, smoothing the tops with a spatula.