Easter Chocolate Chip Ricotta Pie

If you need an easy dessert to make this spring (and it makes a great additon to your Easter table!!), this Chocolate Chip Ricotta Pie is a great place to start!! This post was updated in 2024 but originally written in the heart of covid.

Yes I am baking …

Still…

You?

We are coming around to the spring holidays – namely Easter – for the second time under “entertaining lockdown” orders.

So why bake if we aren’t gathering?

Well I, for one, feel better when I bake…and more happy when I give it away (my jeans are happy when I give it away too ;)).

I wanted to give you guys an easy recipe so you can bake up a pie and make someone happy!  I came up with an easy version of my nonna’s Easter pie that is in the cookbook and this one is super simple.

I remember feeling so happy when I was a little girl, showing up at my nonna’s house in my Sunday best eagerly awaiting that magnificent dessert. The one in the cookbook (you can grab your own copy here!!) is pretty authentic (see photo below) – it has a cake-like crust and the filling is fluffy and deeeelicious!

In the cookbook, I also have a torta rustica (another Easter treat) that is sort of like the savoury version of this!

But this version below is super easy – even using a store bought crust! You can make it pretty by decorating the edge however you like! Here, I’m using a grapefruit spoon – it does a great job!!

There are chocolate chips in the pie to make it a bit more “Eastery” (you can add grated chocolate if you like).

I’ve even decorated it with some crushed Oreos (to mimic dirt), chocolate “rocks”, some sliced wafer cookies to look like nests (I think I stretched that one!!) and some chocolate eggs! Or just add some whipped cream and serve…you’re the boss!!

Before we get to the recipe, let’s break this down!! First things first, let’s talk about the star of the show – ricotta cheese. Creamy, slightly tangy, and incredibly versatile, ricotta adds a luscious richness to any dish it graces. In this pie, it takes center stage, providing a velvety smoothness that perfectly complements the sweetness of the chocolate chips.

Now, let’s talk about chocolate – because, let’s face it, what dessert is complete without it? The marriage of chocolate and ricotta in this pie is nothing short of magical. The semi-sweet chocolate chips melt into the creamy ricotta filling, creating pockets of gooey deliciousness in every bite. It’s a match made in dessert heaven.

But this pie is more than just a delicious combination of ingredients – it’s a symbol of tradition and heritage. Ricotta cheese has deep roots in Italian cuisine (if you’re interested, you can read all about it’s history here!), where it has been used in Italian cooking and baking for centuries. Including it in this pie pays homage to those culinary traditions, while adding chocolate chips adds a modern twist, bridging the gap between old and new.

As we indulge in a slice of Chocolate Chip Ricotta Pie, we’re not just satisfying our sweet tooth. It’s a reminder that food is so much more than just sustenance; it’s a reflection of who we are, where we come from, and the stories we carry with us.

But let’s not forget about the texture – because that’s where the magic truly lies. The filling of this pie is delightfully creamy, with just the right amount of density to hold everything together. It’s smooth and velvety, melting in your mouth with each decadent bite. And then there’s the crust – buttery, flaky, and oh-so-satisfying (better if you make it from scratch but you can abolutely but them at your local grocer) It provides the perfect contrast to the richness of the filling, adding a delightful crunch that keeps you coming back for more.

But perhaps the most magical thing about Chocolate Chip Ricotta Pie is its ability to bring people together. Whether you’re sharing it with family around the dinner table or gifting a slice to a friend in need of a pick-me-up, this pie has a way of fostering connections and creating memories that last a lifetime.

What You’ll Need to Make Chocolate Chip Ricotta Pie:

•  pie crusts (either store bought or homemade)
• ricotta
• sugar
• eggs
• vanilla
• orange zest
• chocolate chips
• decoration for Easter (chocolate, candies, etc)

If you’re looking for more Easter inspiration, check these posts below:

• Easy Easter Menu Ideas
• Pane Di Pasqua: The Story Behind this Traditional Easter Bread
• DIY Pretty Easter Bark
• Everything You Need to Make Your Easter Table Shine

Easy Easter Ricotta Pie

Easier than my nonna's ricotta pie, this one comes together in a pinch!! Makes two pies!

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Servings 20

Ingredients

  

• 1 pkg (2 shells) uncooked pie crusts either homemade or store bought
• 680 g ricotta, well drained *see note about 1.5 pounds or 2 3/4 cup drained
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• zest of one orange
• ½ cup of mini chocolate chips, plus more for sprinkling (you can use grated chocolate instead)
• Decorations like Easter chocolates (optional)

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the ricotta with the sugar until very smooth.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in the vanilla.
• Stir in the orange zest and chocolate chips and pour the filling into the unbaked pie shells, dividing the filling between the two pie shells (if you'd like, you can sprinkle more chocolate chips on top); place filled pie onto a baking sheet to catch any spills.
• Bake the pies for 45 minutes, or until ricotta is set and toothpick comes out clean.
• Allow to cool down for at least an hour, decorate and refrigerate until ready to serve

Notes

Note: If your ricotta is not dry, drain in a mesh colander over a bowl for a couple of hours or overnight