Ricotta cream: a quick recipe that’s always perfect — a stable, firm cream that doesn’t run, yet silky and delicate. It’s prepared with very little sugar to let the quality of the main ingredient speak: a very good ricotta made by traditional methods, preferably sheep’s milk and made by the cheesemaker as in the old days in the big pot over a wood fire. What lovely memories — at my home it was a tradition to make ricotta every morning with good sheep’s milk, so when I have to choose I always prefer a good sheep’s milk ricotta from mountain pastures for a truly unique and unmatched flavor. The cream is therefore made with good sheep ricotta, but if you prefer a milder taste, high-quality cow’s milk ricotta works well too, sweetened with just a little sugar to highlight the good raw ingredient. It is flavored with natural vanilla, which meets the crunch of chocolate chips in a balanced and genuine mix. The ideal snack or a light end to a meal that doesn’t give up flavor — also excellent as a filling for countless sweets, including classic Sicilian desserts. Perfect for spoon desserts: indulgent, fresh, velvety and silky, it brightens every good homemade dessert, even without baking.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: No-cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients for ricotta cream
- 2 cups sheep ricotta (or cow)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 8 drops natural vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Tools to prepare ricotta cream
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Fork
Steps to prepare quick, fluffy ricotta cream that doesn’t run
Drain the ricotta well, at least from the evening before. Better if drained for a couple of days. Work it well in a bowl with a fork if it is soft; alternatively, if it’s a bit too dry, pass it through a sieve to get a fine mass for a silky cream.
Work the ricotta with the sugar — powdered or granulated are both fine. Work quickly with a fork to whisk the cream, or use a manual or electric whisk.
Flavor with drops of vanilla extract; don’t overdo the vanilla nor the sugar so that the flavor of the good ricotta remains clear.
Finally add the chocolate chips or shavings and mix quickly with a fork or a spatula to blend them into the cream. Let it chill in the refrigerator for a while before using so it firms up a bit.
Use it for a spoon dessert or to fill any pastry, baked or not. Since there is no cream, it can also be used in baked goods.

