Welcome to all cooking enthusiasts!
Today we are preparing together a fresh and irresistible dessert, ideal for ending any meal with a touch of sweetness without feeling heavy. We’re talking about a Lemon and Amaretti Dessert: The Fresh No-Bake Cream Without Butter.
If you love easy-to-make and light desserts but don’t want to compromise on taste, this recipe is just for you.
It’s perfect for the hottest days when turning on the oven is the last thing you want.
Its enveloping creaminess and the tart note of lemon, balanced by the crunchiness of the amaretti, will conquer you at the first taste.
For another sweet idea that always hits the mark, maybe one you can prepare in little time to wow your guests, check out this other delight: cold Nutella cheesecake
This dessert is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile.
You can serve it in elegant single portions or in a baking dish for a more informal buffet.
Its simplicity makes it suitable even for those with little kitchen experience, still guaranteeing a result like a true chef.
But cooking is also about discovery and experimentation!
If your culinary imagination is already buzzing after this dessert, why not explore other recipes?
For a first course that smells of home and tradition, how about trying something tasty and comforting?
You’ll find many ideas on my blog, such as: spaghetti with Lupini and cherry tomatoes
Making this Lemon and Amaretti Dessert is a piece of cake.
All you need are a few ingredients and a few minutes of your time to achieve a surprising result that will leave everyone speechless.
It proves that you don’t need to complicate things to create something special.
And if you get hungry after dessert, or are already thinking about next week’s menu, don’t forget to explore the suggestions for main dishes.
Whether you’re a fan of meat or fish, or prefer vegetarian options, there’s always something new to learn and bring to the table.
To conclude with a flourish, here’s a tip for a tasty and easy-to-make main dish: oven-baked pork ribs with sweet and sour lime marinade.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Rest time: 6 Hours
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer, All seasons
- Energy 576.25 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 54.12 (g) of which sugars 23.68 (g)
- Proteins 10.28 (g)
- Fat 35.89 (g) of which saturated 5.24 (g)of which unsaturated 6.24 (g)
- Fibers 0.52 (g)
- Sodium 280.25 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 200 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 8.8 oz ricotta
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 7 oz amaretti
- 1 lemon
Tools
- 2 Bowls Pyrex
- 1 Electric Whisk Leaflai
- 1 Spatula Lacor
- 1 Lemon Zester Generic
- 1 Rolling Pin Zenker
- 6 Glasses Glasmark
- 1 Citrus Juicer Girmi
Steps
Follow these simple steps to create your irresistible Lemon and Amaretti Dessert.
Prepare the Basic Ingredients
Start by squeezing and straining the lemon juice and finely grating the zest.
Set these intense aromas aside.
Now it’s time to handle the base: finely crush the amaretti.
The simplest way to do this is to place them in a large food bag (freezer bags work perfectly) and roll a rolling pin over them until they are reduced to a fine crumble.
I suggest keeping a couple of whole amaretti for the final decoration.
Create the Lemon Ricotta Cream
In a large bowl, combine the well-drained ricotta and the sugar.
Work the two ingredients with a spatula or spoon until a smooth and homogeneous cream is obtained.
At this point, add the strained lemon juice and grated zest.
Mix well to incorporate all the aromas, your cream will already start to smell fresh!
Incorporate the Whipped Cream
In another bowl, preferably larger and well chilled, pour the fresh liquid cream (the bowl and the whisks should also be cold for optimal results).
Whip the cream with electric beaters until semi-firm.
It should have a soft consistency, but not excessively stiff.
Gently add the lemon ricotta cream to the whipped cream, mixing with a spatula in slow upward movements to avoid deflating the mixture.
This will create a light and airy mousse.
Assemble and Let Rest
Take your dessert glasses or the baking dish you have chosen.
Start by distributing a generous layer of crumbled amaretti on the bottom of each glass, compacting slightly.
Then, with the help of a spoon or a piping bag, distribute a generous layer of lemon cream over the amaretti.
You can create multiple layers by alternating cookies and cream, if desired, or finish with the cream.
Once the desserts are assembled, cover the glasses or baking dish with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator to rest.
This is essential to set the dessert and meld the flavors: let them rest for at least 3-4 hours, ideally 6 hours or even overnight.
Garnish at Serving Time
When it’s time to serve your dessert, take the glasses (or baking dish) out of the refrigerator.
For the final garnish, you can sprinkle each portion with some of the reserved crumbled amaretti and a bit of fresh grated lemon zest.
For an extra touch of elegance, you can complete each glass with a whole amaretto and a thin slice of lemon on the edge or on top of the dessert.
Serving and Tasting
Your Lemon and Amaretti Dessert: The Fresh No-Bake Cream Without Butter is now ready to be brought to the table.
Each spoonful will offer you a perfect balance between citrus freshness and the crunchy sweetness of the amaretti.
It’s a light and satisfying meal finale that will win everyone over.
Here are some tips to make your dessert even more special and to store it properly, along with some ideas to vary the recipe!
Tips, Storage, and Tasty Variations
Tips for a Perfect Result
Quality Ricotta: For an exceptional cream, choose fresh and high-quality ricotta, preferably sheep or cow, but well drained. If it’s too watery, let it drain in a sieve for a few hours before using it.
Organic Lemon: Use an untreated organic lemon so you can use the zest with confidence, which is fundamental for the aroma.
Very Cold Cream: Make sure the cream is well chilled from the fridge (and the bowl and whisks too, if possible!) before whipping it. This will help achieve a perfect consistency.
Mix Gently: When folding the ricotta cream into the whipped cream, use slow and gentle movements from bottom to top. This will prevent deflating the cream, keeping it light and fluffy.
Storage
The Lemon and Amaretti Dessert can be stored in the refrigerator, well covered with plastic wrap, for 2-3 days.
Freezing is not recommended, as the consistency of ricotta and cream may change, making the dessert less creamy once thawed.
Variations on the Theme
Exotic Touch: For a different note, you can add some shredded coconut to the amaretti crumble or to the cream.
Fresh Fruit: Enhance portions with berries (raspberries, blueberries) or slices of strawberries when serving. They pair wonderfully with lemon.
Different Base:
If you don’t like amaretti or want to try something else, you can replace them with crushed digestive biscuits or crumbled ladyfingers.
Alternative Citrus:
Try replacing part of the lemon with lime juice and zest for a tangier flavor, or with orange for a sweeter and more delicate version.
A Dash of Liqueur: For a dessert intended only for adults, you can add a teaspoon of limoncello or Grand Marnier to the ricotta cream for a more intense aroma.
I hope these suggestions help you personalize and enjoy your Lemon and Amaretti Dessert to the fullest!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Lemon and Amaretti Dessert
Here you find the answers to the most common questions about this delicious dessert:
Can I make this dessert in advance?
Absolutely yes!
In fact, it is advisable to prepare it several hours in advance, or even the day before, to allow the dessert to set well and the flavors to meld perfectly.
If I don’t have amaretti, can I use other cookies?
Sure!
You can replace amaretti with other dry cookies you prefer, such as digestive, ladyfingers, or shortbread. The flavor will change slightly, but it will still be excellent.
Does the cream have to be fresh liquid cream?
Yes, it is advisable to use fresh liquid cream to whip, as it ensures the best texture and lightness for the cream.
Cooking cream or pre-sweetened and whipped cream will not give the same result.
Can I use a sweetener instead of sugar?
Theoretically yes, you can try replacing sugar with a sweetener of your choice.
However, the final result in terms of flavor and texture may vary.
I recommend tasting the cream and adjusting the amount based on your preference.
How do I know if the ricotta is well-drained?
Ricotta should be compact and not release liquid.
If you buy it in a tub, it is often already quite dry.
Otherwise, you can place it in a fine mesh sieve and let it drain for at least 30 minutes, or even an hour, before using it.
Is it a dessert suitable for children?
Of course!
Being alcohol-free and with simple and genuine ingredients, it is a perfect dessert even for children.
The fresh lemon flavor and the sweetness of the amaretti are very appealing to the little ones.
