Delve into the delightful world of baked ricotta treats! These soft, baked morsels combine the smooth texture of ricotta cheese with a zesty lemon filling, sweetened with brown sugar and dotted with plump sultanas for an extra burst of flavor. The dough is enriched with milk, butter, and a hint of lemon zest, creating a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus.
Why You'll Love This: These baked ricotta delights are perfect for those who appreciate a dessert that's not overly sweet yet immensely satisfying. The combination of fluffy dough with creamy, citrus-infused ricotta offers a texture that melts in your mouth, while the sultanas add a lovely chewiness.
Perfect Occasion: These treats are ideal for teatime gatherings, brunches, or as a sophisticated dessert at dinner parties. They can also serve as delightful holiday treats or a special weekend baking project with the family.
Decoration Tips: Once baked and slightly cooled, dust these delights with powdered sugar for a touch of elegance. Garnish with thin lemon zest strips or a few fresh sultana berries on the side to enhance their visual appeal and hint at the flavors inside.
- Ingredients for the Dough:
- 400g all-purpose flour
- 100ml milk
- 7g dry yeast
- 1 egg
- 100g butter, melted
- 100g granulated sugar
- Zest of one lemon, finely grated
- A pinch of salt
- Filling:
- 400g ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- Zest of one lemon
- Sultanas, as desired (optional)
- Instructions:
- Dissolve the yeast in warm milk with a bit of the sugar. Let it activate until frothy.
- In a large bowl, cream together melted butter, the rest of the sugar, lemon zest, and salt. Beat in the egg.
- Gradually mix in the flour to form a soft dough. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
- For the filling, mix ricotta with egg, cornstarch, brown sugar, lemon zest, and sultanas. Chill until needed.
- Roll out the dough and cut into squares. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each square. Pinch the edges to seal and form into balls.
- Place the filled dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover, and let rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Brush with a milk and egg yolk mixture and bake at 190°C for 25-30 minutes or until golden.
- Let cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar.
Enjoy these delightful baked ricotta treats that offer a wonderful blend of flavors and textures!