Almond Ricotta Cheese Recipes

RICOTTA CHEESECAKE WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• Make the crust: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spread the almonds for both the crust and topping (1/4 cup plus 1/3 cup) on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden, about 5 minutes. Let cool. Crumble the biscotti into a food processor; add 1/4 cup toasted almonds and the granulated sugar and pulse until finely ground. Add the butter and pulse to combine. Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8-inch springform pan. Bake until set, about 12 minutes, then transfer to a rack and let cool completely. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Beat the egg yolks and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on high speed until pale, about 2 minutes. Add the ricotta and beat until smooth, about 2 more minutes. Beat in the amaretto, vanilla and almond extracts, and orange zest. Put the egg whites and the remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a separate bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form (do not overbeat). Using a rubber spatula, fold about one-third of the beaten egg whites into the ricotta mixture, then gently fold in the rest until just combined. Scrape the batter into the prepared crust. Bake until slightly puffed and lightly golden on top, about 1 hour, 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool, 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen, then remove the springform ring and let cool completely. Combine the confectioners' sugar and cinnamon in a fine-mesh sieve and dust over the cheesecake. Scatter the remaining 1/3 cup toasted almonds on top and dust again. Serve at room temperature. Photograph by Johnny Miller

LEMONY ALMOND-RICOTTA COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until blended. Increase speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in ricotta cheese, lemon juice, almond extract, lemon zest, and egg on medium speed until well combined. Reduce speed to low. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; beat slowly until a dough forms.
• Drop dough about 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheet using a cookie scoop.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are very lightly golden but still soft, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, transfer to a wire rack, and cool completely before icing, about 30 minutes.
• Stir powdered sugar and lemon juice together in a small bowl to make a smooth icing. Drizzle icing onto the cookies. Set cookies aside to allow icing to dry completely.

ALMOND RICOTTA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper.
• Combine butter and 3/4 cup sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice; mix until well combined. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Fold in almond flour and ricotta cheese with a silicone spatula.
• Wash and dry the beaters and beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until foamy. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Fold stiff egg whites into the batter. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with sliced almonds.
• Bake on the center rake of the preheated oven until edges of the cake are lightly browned, about 50 minutes. Cake will still be a little wobbly in the middle.
• Remove from the oven and let the cake to cool completely in the pan before transferring to a cake platter, about 1 hour. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

ALMOND RICOTTA 'CHEESE'

Steps:

• Place blanched almonds into a bowl and cover so that there is about an inch of water above the almonds. Soak for 12 hours. (To blanch, simple boil almonds in water for approximately 3 minutes. Rinse under cold water and remove skins.).
• Add the almonds, lemon juice, and water to food process. Process for about 2 minutes. Add dill, thyme, and garlic. Process until mixture is semi-smooth, 5-8 minutes. If you want to use different herbs, go right ahead!
• Refrigerate and serve!
• Tip: If after you process for the first 2 minutes and the mixture has a lot of excess liquid, strain through a cheese cloth or small strainer and then return the solid mixture to the food processor. Continue with the steps as written.

2-INGREDIENT ALMOND RICOTTA CHEESE

Steps:

• See Notes for more information about soaking. To do it:Place slivered almonds in a bowl and cover with water. Allow almonds to soak for a minimum of 4 hours and up to 8. If using whole, blanched almonds, soak 8 to 12 hours. Alternatively, first pulse the whole almonds in a food processor to break them into smaller pieces, reducing soak time. Drain the almonds when ready to make ricotta.
• Place almonds, lemon juice, salt, and ¼ cup of the water in a food processor. Process until well combined and somewhat smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
• Add another ¼ cup water and continue to process until light and fluffy. If it seems too thick, add more water a tablespoon or two at a time. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and lemon as desired.