Italian ricotta Easter bread, also known as pane di Pasqua, is a sweet and rich bread traditionally prepared during the Easter season in Italy. This delectable treat is characterized by its soft and fluffy texture, subtly sweet flavor, and the incorporation of ricotta cheese, giving it a moist and tender crumb. The bread often takes on an iconic dome shape, adorned with decorative elements such as colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, or a glaze, reflecting the festive spirit of Easter.
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ITALIAN RICOTTA EASTER BREAD
I changed our family's traditional Easter bread by adding ricotta and a few other ingredients. The almond flavoring works wonders! - Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h15m
Yield 18 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and egg yolks,1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in ricotta and extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition, stirring in final 1 cup flour by hand., Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into thirds. Roll each into an 18-in. rope. Place ropes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and braid. Pinch ends to seal; tuck under braid. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45-55 minutes (do not overbake). Remove to wire racks to cool., Meanwhile, beat confectioners' sugar, milk and extract until smooth. Brush on bread while still warm; top with sliced almonds or sprinkles.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 376 calories, Fat 11g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 68mg cholesterol, Sodium 247mg sodium, Carbohydrate 60g carbohydrate (28g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
EASY ITALIAN EASTER BREAD
This traditional Easter bread is topped with colored raw eggs, which cook as the bread bakes. It makes for a pretty centerpiece.
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h
Yield 1 loaf (20 slices).
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a large saucepan, heat milk and 2 tablespoons butter to 120°-130°. Add dry ingredients; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in fruit, almonds and aniseed until blended. Let rest for 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a 24-in. rope. Loosely twist ropes together; place on a greased baking sheet and form into a ring. Pinch ends together. Melt remaining butter; brush over dough. Gently separate ropes and tuck dyed eggs into openings. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes., Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. For glaze, in a bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over bread. Sprinkle with candies if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 172 calories, Fat 5g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 80mg cholesterol, Sodium 169mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.
RICOTTA EASTER CAKE
An old family recipe. I use this recipe as the base for my Italian cheesecake.
Provided by Buon Appetito
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 14h30m
Yield 40
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Place wheat berries into a bowl, cover with water, and soak for 3 days, changing water 2 or 3 times per day. Drain and place wheat berries into a saucepan; pour in milk to cover. Stir 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, orange zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into wheat and milk. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until wheat berries are tender, about 1 hour. Refrigerate.
- Sift flour, 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, baking powder, and 1 pinch of salt together in a bowl; cut butter into flour mixture, using a pastry cutter, until butter forms small lumps. Make a well in flour mixture and pour 3 beaten eggs into the well; add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon anisette liqueur to eggs. Stir together to make a smooth dough. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
- Move a rack into low position in oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease and flour the 8x8-inch cake pans.
- Divide dough into fourths; roll each piece out onto a floured work surface to make a thin 12x12-inch dough square. Fit dough into a prepared cake pan. Repeat with remaining dough to make 4 crusts.
- Beat ricotta cheese with 12 eggs in a large bowl until mixture is smooth and creamy. Add 1 cup of soaked wheat berries, pineapple preserves, 1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, heavy cream, dried mixed fruit, white sugar, 1/4 cup anisette liqueur, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1 pinch of salt. Stir to combine thoroughly and divide ricotta filling into each crust.
- Bake cakes on the bottom rack of the preheated oven for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 225 degrees F (105 degrees C) and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let cakes cool in the oven with the door open, about 30 minutes. Let cakes cool to room temperature, then chill at least 2 hours (up to overnight). Sprinkle each cake with about 1 1/2 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste, before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 249.8 calories, Carbohydrate 33 g, Cholesterol 95.8 mg, Fat 9.6 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 8.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 95.7 mg, Sugar 19.5 g
PASTIERA DI PASQUA (ITALIAN EASTER TART WITH RICOTTA)
This orange-flavored Italian Easter tart recipe is a classic dessert from Naples. Sometimes referred to as a "Neapolitan grain pie", pastiera di pasqua is made with cooked wheat grains and ricotta cheese.
Provided by Nesrine
Categories Holidays and Events Recipes Easter Desserts
Time 2h45m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Bring wheat grains, milk, butter, and 1/2 of the lemon zest to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Simmer until creamy, about 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 11-inch tart pan.
- Combine ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, orange flower water, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Mix in remaining lemon zest and candied orange peel. Fold in wheat mixture and mix filling until well combined.
- Roll out 1 sheet puff pastry on a lightly floured surface so it will fit into the tart pan. Place pastry in the pan and spoon filling on top. Roll out the second puff pastry sheet and cut into 3/4-inch thick strips. Layer a lattice pattern on top of the filling and brush with beaten egg.
- Bake tart in the preheated oven until filling is set and lattice is lightly browned, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool inside the tart pan, at least 1 hour.
- Carefully unmold tart, transfer onto a cake platter. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 721.5 calories, Carbohydrate 95.8 g, Cholesterol 143.6 mg, Fat 32.5 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 15.5 g, SaturatedFat 10.8 g, Sodium 256.6 mg, Sugar 46.5 g
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste of your bread. Use fresh ricotta cheese, eggs, and flour for the best results.
- Proof the Dough Properly: Proofing allows the dough to rise and develop flavor. Make sure you proof the dough in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
- Knead the Dough Well: Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten and makes the bread more elastic. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Before baking, brush the bread with an egg wash. This will give the bread a golden brown crust and help it to rise.
Conclusion:
Ricotta Easter bread is a delicious and traditional Italian bread that is perfect for celebrating the Easter holiday. This bread is made with ricotta cheese, eggs, flour, and sugar, and is often flavored with vanilla, orange zest, or lemon zest. Ricotta Easter bread can be braided, shaped into a wreath, or simply baked in a loaf pan. No matter how you choose to bake it, this bread is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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