A great Italian classic with a wonderful touch of cocoa, this chocolate ricotta pie is definitely must try! The crust is so sweet and perfect and the filling is so rich, creamy and yummy! Italian grandmas are usually preparing this ricotta pie for holidays and family gatherings. It will you take you about 45 minutes to make this pie. Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:
For the pie filling:
- 11 eggs
- 1 ¾ cup sugar
- 3 pounds ricotta cheese
- Rind from 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
For the crust:
- 3 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ cup shortening, chilled
- 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
[the_ad id=”3129″]
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, beat together the 11 eggs, 1 ¾ cups sugar, and extract. Add the ricotta cheese and chocolate chips (if using). Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, ¾ cup sugar, and baking powder. Cut in the shortening until the butter resembles coarse crumbs. Whisk in 3 beaten eggs and vanilla extract.
- Next, divide the dough into two balls and wrap each one in plastic; refrigerate for at least half an hour.
- In the meantime, preheat the oven to 325°F/160°C; then, grease 1 deep-dish pie plate. Set aside.
- Roll out one of the dough balls so they can fit in the pie pan. Remember, don’t make the crust very thick, because it can expand during cooking.
- Next, roll out the remaining dough ball and cut in eight narrow strips for the top of the crust or use a cookie cutter and apply the cutouts on the top of the pies.
- Then, pour the filling evenly into the pie crust. Top the pie with 8 narrow strips of dough. On the edge of crust apply foil.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 22-25minutes; then remove foil and rotate pie on the rack so it will bake completely. Continue baking until a knife inserted in the middle of the pie comes out clean (about 20-30 minutes more).
- Remove and cool completely on wire rack. Refrigerate until serving.
Buon Appetito!
