Cheesecake! Specifically, vanilla bean Italian ricotta cheesecake.
Let’s make vanilla bean Italian ricotta cheesecake
I’ve mentioned probably 428 times that I’m not a huge dessert person, but as time goes on, that has become kinda-sorta a lie…
What still holds true is if I have the option of eating a bucket of homemade popcorn, or a slice of chocolate cake, the popcorn will win 99 times out of 100.
But, there are a few exceptions, especially if I’m in the mood for something a little sweet, and one of those exceptions (okay, the main exception), is cheesecake.
CHEESECAKE.
Why oh why, dear cheesecake, are you SO GOOD? It’s not even fair, actually.
Cream cheese in general is just ridiculous (all on it’s own), then you throw in some sugar, eggs, a load of pure vanilla and a buttery graham cracker crust, and things become real.
I can’t resist, and that’s why I don’t usually make it.
This dessert has both cream cheese AND ricotta!
But today is a new day. I decided – if you love cheesecake, sometimes you just have to make it.
There’s nothin’ wrong with that.
And what’s extra cool about this cheesecake, is that it’s made with cream cheese and ricotta, so it has a creamy, yet wholesome texture.
And it’s sweet, but not too sweet. It sounds crazy, but there are some desserts that are too sweet and too rich for my taste, and this cheesecake has something really refreshing and light about it.
Plus! There are berries, and berries make everything better.
PrintItalian Ricotta Cheesecake
Creamy, wholesome cheesecake made with ricotta and cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 15-20 mins
- Cook Time: 55-60 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins-1 hr 15 mins
- Yield: Serves 12 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian, American
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup salted butter, melted
Cheesecake:
- 8-ounces low fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups ricotta (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 vanilla bean, scraped
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- Berries, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- To make crust: Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter in a medium bowl. Press into the bottom of a greased 8-inch spring form pan. Set aside.
- To make the cheesecake filling: Beat the cream cheese until very smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and ¾ cup sugar until mixture is smooth. Whisk in the ricotta and lemon juice until smooth, then add the vanilla extract, vanilla bean and flour/cornstarch until thoroughly incorporated. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake 40-50 minutes or until barely set. Turn the oven off and cool cake in oven for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Remove spring form pan sides, slice and serve with berries.
Notes
Storage Tip: Cheesecake will last up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 274
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 271mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 106mg
Keywords: Baked, easy, tasty, ricotta, holidays, make ahead, creamy
8 thoughts on “Italian Ricotta Cheesecake”
That looks really good, cheese cake is one of my favorites.
Mine, too! Love love love it 🙂
I love cheesecake and this looks absolutely delicious. The instructions seem pretty easy to follow. Hopefully I can do it with my novice level cooking skills lol
Thank you, Monica! You got this 🙂
That looks so good, can’t wait to TRY to make it
Thanks, Michelle! I hope you love it!
That looks SO delicious!!
TY, Sasha 🙂 Hope you give it a try!