Ricotta and strawberry tart with golden crust and fresh strawberry topping.

7 Reasons You’ll Love This Ricotta and Strawberry Tart

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🍓 Ricotta and Strawberry Tart: 7 Reasons You’ll Fall in Love with This Elegant Dessert

🍰 Introduction

Delicate, creamy, and perfectly balanced — the Ricotta and Strawberry Tart is one of those classic Italian desserts that feels like a hug on a plate. With a buttery shortcrust base, a rich ricotta cream filling, and fresh strawberries baked to perfection, this tart is both elegant and comforting.

Ideal for Sunday lunches, birthdays, or festive dinners, this dessert combines the best of two worlds: the creaminess of ricotta and the freshness of strawberries. Let’s discover how to make this refined treat that melts in your mouth and impresses everyone at your table.

🧾 Ingredients (

Ricotta and Strawberry Tart )

For the shortcrust pastry:

  • 300 g 00 flour

  • 2 eggs

  • 120 g soft butter (cut into pieces)

  • 120 g caster sugar

  • Zest of ½ lemon

  • 1 pinch baking powder

  • 1 pinch fine salt

For the ricotta cream filling:

  • 400 g ricotta cheese

  • 250 g fresh strawberries

  • 2 eggs

  • 80 g caster sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

👩‍🍳 Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the pastry

Place the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add the sugar, lemon zest, salt, baking powder, and butter pieces.
Using your fingertips, rub the ingredients together until the mixture looks crumbly.

Step 2: Add the eggs

Add the eggs and knead gently until you form a soft, homogeneous dough. Do not overwork it to keep it tender.

Step 3: Rest the dough

Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 4: Roll out the dough

After resting, roll out the pastry with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface until it’s about ½ cm thick.

Step 5: Line the pan

Gently wrap the pastry around the rolling pin and transfer it to a 24 cm circular tart pan. Press it into the edges and trim any excess dough.
Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.

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Step 6: Prepare the ricotta filling

In a bowl, combine the ricotta, sugar, vanilla, and eggs.
Whisk with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Step 7: Add the strawberries

Clean and chop the strawberries into small pieces, then fold them into the ricotta mixture with a spatula. Mix gently to combine.

Step 8: Assemble the tart

Spreading ricotta and strawberry cream inside the tart crust.
The creamy ricotta and strawberry mixture being spread evenly over the shortcrust pastry before baking.

Pour the ricotta and strawberry mixture into the pastry shell. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, smoothing the top.

Step 9: Bake

Bake the tart in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 40–45 minutes, until the surface is lightly golden and set.

Step 10: Cool and serve

Remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely before unmolding.
Dust lightly with powdered sugar and decorate with a few fresh strawberry slices for an elegant finish.

💡 Tips & Variations

  • Use fresh ricotta: The fresher the ricotta, the smoother and creamier your filling will be.

  • Add lemon zest: A touch of lemon brightens the flavor beautifully.

  • Gluten-free option: Replace regular flour with a gluten-free mix suitable for pastries.

  • Make it more decadent: Add a thin layer of strawberry jam on the pastry before the ricotta filling.

  • Storage tip: Store the tart in the fridge for up to 3 days, covered with plastic wrap.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ricotta and strawberry tart with golden crust and fresh strawberry topping.
A freshly baked ricotta and strawberry tart with a golden crust and a creamy, fruity center.

  1. Rich yet light: The ricotta keeps the tart creamy but not heavy.

  2. Beautifully balanced: Sweet strawberries meet delicate citrus notes.

  3. Perfect for any occasion: Elegant enough for guests, simple enough for every day.

  4. A timeless Italian classic: Loved across generations.

  5. Easy to customize: Add chocolate chips, lemon zest, or other fruits.

  6. Visually stunning: The baked strawberries add a rustic, artisanal touch.

  7. Guaranteed crowd-pleaser: Everyone will ask for seconds!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, but thaw and drain them well to remove excess water before mixing with ricotta.

Q2: Can I prepare it a day in advance?
Absolutely! This tart tastes even better the next day when flavors have blended.

Q3: Can I use mascarpone instead of ricotta?
Yes, mascarpone gives a richer, creamier texture. You can also mix half ricotta and half mascarpone.

Q4: Why is my crust soggy?
If your strawberries release too much liquid, brush the base with beaten egg or a little jam before adding the filling.

For more authentic Italian dessert inspirations, check out Giallo Zafferano – Crostata Recipes.

🏁 Conclusion

This Ricotta and Strawberry Tart recipe combines simple ingredients into a refined, elegant dessert. The contrast between the crumbly pastry and the creamy ricotta filling enriched with strawberries creates a perfect harmony of flavors. Whether for a family lunch, a romantic dinner, or a festive gathering, this tart will always bring smiles and compliments to your table.

A dessert that proves — sometimes, simplicity truly is the key to perfection. 🍓💫