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    Home » Easter » Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    March 13, 2016 , Updated November 8, 2021 Maria 12 Comments

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    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel… Ambitious? Most definitively. Challenging? I thought so. Grateful to have made it? Absolutely and on so many levels. Intrigued? Come and take a look at this collaborative effort with fellow Montreal blogger Kim from The Finer Cookie.

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

     

    A few months ago, Kim, a fellow Montreal blogger from The Finer Cookie, messaged me with a proposal that I could not refuse.  

    The general idea was to work together on a recipe. After a few brainstorming sessions, we decided that we would use a ricotta filling to achieve two different looks.

    If you have been here before, you know that I love my ricotta desserts. Some of my favorites include Ricotta Pie, Rice Ricotta Easter Pie, Ricotta Cake, and of course, this Cannoli Dip Recipe with ricotta!  

    I would attempt to use the ricotta filling in a classic strudel dough, whereas Kim, being more adventurous, was going to use phyllo dough. Once we decided on our plan of action, I was extremely excited to get started.

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had never made a strudel before.

    If you know me, you know that I will rarely give up an opportunity to have a piece of strudel.

    But let’s face it, there’s a big difference between making it and eating it.  I was a little apprehensive, but I was up for the challenge.

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    So, I researched the technique of making strudel and settled on trying a recipe where the dough is stretched paper-thin. The recipe for the dough is pretty straightforward. However, what intrigued me about this recipe is that you literally slam the dough against your wooden board about 100 times. The first time I made the dough, both my husband and daughter hurried into the kitchen, wondering what I was up to.

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    Once this process is complete, the dough needs to rest for a couple of hours. During this “rest” time, the ricotta filling can be prepared.

    Now for the fun part! It would be best if you covered your kitchen table with a clean table cloth. Believe it or not, you are going to use the tablecloth to roll your strudel.

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    Sprinkle the table cloth and your dough generously with flour and begin to roll out your dough. Once rolled out as thinly as possible, brush some oil on the surface of the dough. This prevents the dough from drying out while you are stretching it out.

    Are you ready to be amazed? Make fists with both your hands, get under the dough and stretch the dough. Keep pulling and stretching the dough, focusing on the center part. Continue to pull and stretch the dough gently. Once the dough reaches the entire surface of your table, try to anchor the dough on the side of your table. You will notice that the ends are a little thick. These can be cut off once you are finished stretching the dough.

    Let the dough air dry for about 5 minutes, after which sprinkle and brush some melted butter over the entire surface. I have to say the first time I tried it, I did not put nearly enough butter… but you know what they say, practice makes perfect.

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    Spread some freshly made bread crumbs, followed by the ricotta filling on the top part of the dough, fold over about 3 inches of dough and start rolling with the help of the table cloth.

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    Transfer your strudel to a large baking sheet. Brush a little more butter on the surface and poke a couple of holes. This will prevent your Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel from bursting. Bake for at least 45 minutes.

    Voila… you are ready to serve your Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel!

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    Recipe origins

    As you can probably guess, there are two parts to this simple Italian ricotta cheese strudel-the ricotta filling and the actual dough to make the strudel.  

    Kim graciously volunteered to create the ricotta cheese filling. Could you wait until you taste it? It is perfect! I am extremely grateful to Kim for creating such a wonderful filling and so will you.

    Since I love the combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ricotta, I added a pinch. I also used my very own Homemade Ricotta Cheese. 

    The recipe for the dough was adapted from one of my favorite pastry chefs, Nick Malgieri. 

    Since one of our objectives was to create two totally different desserts, but with the same filling, I would invite you to jump over to Kim’s site to admire her Ricotta Hazelnut Strudel Bites. I can honestly say that they taste as good as they look, and I think you’ll agree with me…they look great! Once you set your eyes on these little pockets of deliciousness, I am sure you will want to include them in your Easter baking.

    Speaking of which, Easter is only two weeks away and I have a few more recipes that I really want to share with all of you. I hope you’ll come back and visit!

    You can also easily sign up for my updates!

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    I had an absolutely wonderful time making this recipe.

    Thanks, Kim! It was great collaborating with you!!!

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    Recipe

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel

    For your next large gathering, this recipe for a Simple Italian Ricotta Cheese Strudel is always appreciated whether served for brunch or dessert.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: European
    Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 340kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
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    Ingredients

    Strudel Dough:

    • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 eggs room temperature
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • warm water
    • extra ¼-1/2 cup flour for kneading
    • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil to grease bowl to grease the bowl

    Ricotta Filling:

    • 2¼ cups ricotta cheese
    • 1 tablespoon Grappa
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 egg yolk
    • 1 lemon rind grated finely
    • ¼ tsp white pepper
    • 1 pinch nutmeg
    • 1 pinch cinnamon
    • pinch salt
    • ½ cup whole hazelnuts skins removed, coarsely chopped and lightly toasted

    The Assembly:

    • ¼ -½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • ½ cup melted butter
    • 5 tablespoons freshly made bread crumbs

    Instructions

    Strudel Dough:

    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Set aside.
    • In a 2 cup measuring cup, place eggs, oil and enough warm water to reach the 1 ¼ cup mark.
    • Beat lightly together with a fork.
    • Add to the flour and stir together.
    • Turn over on a wooden board and knead together for a few minutes.
    • Slam the dough on your wooden board about 100 times. According to Nick Malgieri, knead the dough 15-30 seconds every 20 times you slam your dough on the wooden board. Use ¼ cup fo flour to prevent dough from sticking to board.
    • Place dough in a small bowl lightly greased with vegetable oil. Make sure to turn over your dough so that the entire surface of the dough is greased.
    • Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 2 hours.
    • Prepare the ricotta filling while the dough is resting.

    Ricotta Filling:

    • Simply combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
    • Mix properly together.
    • Set aside until ready to use.

    The Assembly:

    • Cover your kitchen table with a clean table cloth..
    • Sprinkle the table cloth and your dough with flour and begin to roll out your dough. Once it has been rolled out as thinly as possible, brush about 1 tablespoon of oil on the surface of the dough. (This will prevent the dough from drying out while you are stretching it out).
    • Make fists with both your hands, get under the dough and pull the dough. Keep pulling and stretching the dough...focusing on the center part. Continue to gently pull and stretch the dough. Once the dough reaches the entire surface of your table, try to anchor the dough on the side of your table. You will notice that the ends are a little thick. These can be cut off once you are finished stretching the dough.
    • Let the dough air dry for about 5 minutes.
    • Sprinkle and brush most of melted butter over the entire surface (you need about 1-2 tablespoons to brush over the surface of the rolled strudel).
    • Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the entire surface.
    • Spread the ricotta filling on the top part of the dough; fold over about 3 inches of dough and start rolling with the help of the table cloth.
    • Transfer your strudel on a large baking sheet.
    • Brush the rest of the butter on the surface and poke a couple of holes throughout the strudel. This will prevent it from bursting.
    • Bake for at least 45 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 F.
    • Serve warm or at room temperature.
    Enhance Your Cooking Experience!SCROLL UP for essential step-by-step photos embedded in the article above. When available, videos can be found in the next section. These visuals are designed to help you achieve perfect results every time. Happy cooking!

    Notes

    The dough needs to rest for about 2 hours.
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 
    *adapted from Nick Malgieri; ricotta filling made by The Finer Cookie
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 505IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 2mg
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    Filed Under: Breakfast and Brunch, Desserts, Easter, Ricotta Cheese

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a retired dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mirta

      March 13, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      I think I am going to buy phyllo dough, it is too challenging for me. I nevertheless admire a process.
      Maria, please, help me with advice how to fry eggplant slices in oil and stop them absorbing too much oil. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 29, 2021 at 8:57 pm

        I think that is a great variation Mirta!
        Unfortunately, eggplants are sponges… Have you tried baking them?

        Reply
    2. Ur pal val

      March 29, 2018 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      Unbelievable how the dough stretches! Amazing!!! Can’t wait to give this a try 🙂

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 31, 2018 at 2:11 pm

        I was also amazed at how thin this dough stretched. There really is so much chemistry in baking! Appreciate your comment, thanks for stopping by ♥

        Reply
    3. A_Boleyn

      March 18, 2016 at 10:41 pm

      I’m going to give the strudel dough a try. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 18, 2016 at 10:44 pm

        Wonderful! If you’re like me, you’ll be amazed at how thinly the dough stretches out. Appreciate the comment 🙂

        Reply
        • A_Boleyn

          March 18, 2016 at 11:16 pm

          I’ve tried a different recipe (similar to one I remember my mom using) and it just didn’t stretch enough. My mom’s did not have eggs in it … just flour, water and oil, so that’s what I was looking for.

          https://aboleyn01.wordpress.com/2016/03/12/placinta-strudel-redux/

        • Maria

          March 18, 2016 at 11:26 pm

          I agree with your comment about the butter…your mom’s strudel must have been amazing. The video link I included in the post really helped me visualize the stretching of the dough, but I guess you experienced it first hand 🙂 Anxious to hear how it turns out for you.

    4. Fran

      March 14, 2016 at 11:40 am

      Oh my gosh, this recipe looks amazing. Crust looks so amazingly flaky and can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 14, 2016 at 7:27 pm

        Hi Fran! The dough was easy enough to work with. If you have a chance, check out the video link to Nick Malgieri…he is just amazing! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sonia and mom

      March 13, 2016 at 11:26 am

      Oh you are so amazingly talented x

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 13, 2016 at 11:31 am

        Hi Sonia and mom! You are too funny…and very sweet 🙂 Thanks for your support. Have a great day you guys !!!

        Reply

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