Description
A sophisticated regional Italian-inspired dessert featuring a buttery shortbread crust, a tangy ricotta and cream cheese filling, and topped with fresh berries and an apricot glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam
- 1 tablespoon water
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until pale and creamy (about 2 minutes).
- Add flour and mix on low speed just until dough comes together and resembles coarse sand.
- Place dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll into a 12-inch circle.
- Transfer dough to a 12-inch round pizza pan, peel off top parchment, and press dough evenly into the pan, creating a slight rim. Prick the bottom with a fork.
- Bake crust for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a stand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add ricotta and powdered sugar, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add heavy cream and beat on medium-high until light and fluffy.
- Spread filling evenly over the cooled crust. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Wash, dry, and slice berries. Arrange in a concentric circle pattern on the chilled filling.
- Heat apricot jam with water until thin, strain, and brush over berries. Garnish with mint and serve.
Notes
Ensure the crust is completely cool before adding filling to prevent melting. If ricotta is watery, drain it in a cheesecloth for 30 minutes prior to use. Pat berries dry thoroughly to maintain crust crispness. Use a sharp serrated knife for clean slices.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: fruit pizza, berry dessert, ricotta cream cheese, shortbread crust, no bake dessert, summer dessert, Italian dessert, easy dessert