Quick Sweet Ricotta Recipe: 5 minutes!

This sweet ricotta recipe uses only 3 ingredients and is ready in just 5 minutes. Create a quick no-bake dessert by adding a dollop to fresh fruit.

The velvety smooth texture of this lightly sweetened ricotta cheese also makes a delicious creamy dessert filling for zeppole, cannoli, crepes and so much more!

Thick and creamy, fresh Italian ricotta cheese is the starting point to so many easy recipes. 

It is so versatile that it can easily be used as an ingredient in either sweet or savory Italian dishes. Use it to make anything from a simple ricotta toast to the best ricotta pie to toothsome ricotta cavatelli.

But there is one catch -the quality of the cheese makes all the difference in the final product. 

This easy ricotta recipe comes together in no time when using a food processor. You won’t believe the texture transformation of homemade ricotta into a light and airy ingredient with endless culinary possibilities. 

Jump to:

• Instructions 
• Serving suggestions
• Tips
• Recipe variations
• FAQ
• Storing
• Recipe inspiration
• Recipe

Instructions 

Place 14 ounces (or 400 grams) of well-drained homemade ricotta in the bowl of a food processor.

Blend at high speed for approximately 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Continue to process for another minute. 

Add ⅓ cup of icing sugar and ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon. Process for another minute or until smooth.

Taste for sweetness and adjust for personnel preference. 

That’s it! 

Serving suggestions

Like my recipe for cannoli dip, you can serve this sweetened cheese with pizzelle, air fryer cookies, or a platter of fresh fruit. I love serving it with my chocolate pizzelle It’s also the perfect ricotta filling for a mini crepe cake. 

If you prefer, add a nice big dollop over dark chocolate pudding, fruit salad, macerated strawberries or a slice of pound cake. Garnish with more fruit or chopped roasted nuts like hazelnuts or pistachios. 

After an overnight stay in the refrigerator, this whipped cheese thickens and you can easily pipe it into Italian cream puffs or cannoli shells. The possibilities are truly endless! 

Tips

• The total yield for this recipe is scant 2 cups.
• If buying commercial, look for high-quality whole milk ricotta to achieve superior results. If necessary strain it. 
• A handheld blender or the whisk attachment of a stand mixer will provide similar results to using a food processor. 

Recipe variations

Create flavorful variations by gently folding the following ingredients:

• a small handful of mini chocolate chips, semi-sweet or dark
• one ounce of grated or chopped semisweet chocolate
• candied citrus peel
• a teaspoon or so of finely grated orange or lemon zest for a burst of citrus flavor
• half a teaspoon of pure vanilla or almond extract

FAQ

Storing

Transfer leftover sweetened ricotta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to check the expiry date, if using commercial ricotta or your milk, if making your own. 

Recipe inspiration

In the past, I’ve shared with you that one of my mom’s older sisters was an amazing cook and baker. She taught my mom so much, whether it was making biscotti, pizza or homemade egg pasta! 

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times the doorbell would ring and there were my Zia Maria and Zio Vito with bags of baked goods, loaves of bread and pizzas. 

This was the cheese filling my aunt would make for her homemade cannoli. 

When I started experimenting with whipped ricotta, I quickly realized that you could achieve an incredible texture without the addition of whipped cream. 

I simply applied this technique to my aunt’s recipe and I’ve used it in a range of Italian desserts ever since. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does! 

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

And if you are new here, welcome! You may want to sign up for my weekly e-mail newsletter. You can unsubscribe any time you want.

Ciao for now,

Maria

★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for sweetened ricotta, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe