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A piece lifted and taken out of a large ricotta pie.
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5 from 5 votes

Honey Ricotta Pie

A delicious Italian Ricotta Pie recipe with a subtly sweet gluten-free crust and beautifully filled with creamy honey and orange-zest ricotta cheese filling! You will be in tart heaven!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Cookies, Snacks, Desserts
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 428kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom

Ingredients

Ricotta Cheese Filling

  • 2 large egg whites from 2 eggs at room temperature
  • 15 ounces fresh whole milk ricotta cheese 425 grams
  • cup local honey 100 grams
  • Grated zest of an orange 1 tablespoon, reserve the rest of the peel for garnish
  • 4 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour 35 grams

Pie crust

Instructions


  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius

Make the ricotta cheese filling:

  • Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Place the egg whites in a clean mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until firm—use a hand or stand mixer. See the note below on what to do with the yolks.
  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese with the honey, grated orange zest, and flour—best to use a whisk.
  • Fold the firm egg whites into the honey ricotta mixture—best to use a spatula.
  • Cover and store in the fridge while you are preparing the crust.

Make the pie dough (crust):

  • Combine the all-purpose flour with Teff flour and coconut sugar in a large bowl. Whisk, making quick swishing motions to mix the dry ingredients and fluff it.
  • Then add the butter, vanilla extract, eggs, and Brandy.
  • Combine the ingredients in the bowl. The dough will first be crumbly.
  • Then use your hands to combine everything until you get a rough ball. If the mixture is too dry to form a rough ball, add one extra tablespoon of Brandy or honey.
  • Transfer the dough to the center of the tart or pie pan. I usually lightly butter the bottom of the pan a little (optional).
  • Press firmly into the bottom and up the sides, ensuring all corners are equally covered. You want to get the dough at an even thickness throughout. 
  • Then use the tines of a fork to prick holes all over.

Assemble the pie:

  • Transfer the reserved ricotta mixture onto the pie crust in the pie pan and, with a spatula, divide it equally over its surface.
  • Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until filling in the middle is set (some spots might become golden brown, and that's okay).
  • Cool completely.
  • Before serving, garnish tart with curled orange peels and some sugar powder (optional).
  • Cut into wedges and serve at room temperature or refrigerate until serving.

Orange Peels for Garnish (Optional)

  • Use a vegetable peeler to peel off the orange skin of a small orange.
  • Start from the top and peel in one swoop to the bottom of the orange.
  • Slice the thick peel into thin matchsticks
  • Bend them slightly and arrange them crisscrossed onto one side of the tart (see picture.)
  • You can sprinkle over some extra orange zest and decorate further with lavender leaves, edible flowers, or crushed hazelnuts (these are just a few suggestions).

Notes

Store the unused egg yolks in an airtight container and use either the same or the next day to make an omelet or egg muffins, or throw them in with other eggs to make a scrambled egg dish. You can also use boxed egg whites, but egg whites from fresh eggs separated from their yolk always seem to firm up better.
Ricotta cheese: Always drain off any liquid that can sit at the bottom of a cheese box to obtain a solid and creamy texture in this dessert.
Storage: Cover and store for up to one week in the fridge in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 558IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 2mg