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Baked Ricotta and Orange Cheesecake

17/11/2023

Here’s an Italian version of the classic baked cheesecake flavored with ricotta and orange.

Ingredients

  • 250 g of dry biscuits (like Digestive)
  • 100 g of melted butter
  • 500 g of ricotta
  • 250 g of cream cheese (like Philadelphia)
  • 150 g of sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • Grated zest of 1 orange
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 1 tablespoon of flour
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 160 °C.
  2. Grind the biscuits until they have a sand-like consistency. Mix the ground biscuits with melted butter.
  3. Line the bottom and sides of a springform pan (about 22-24 cm in diameter) with parchment paper. Press the biscuit mixture into the bottom of the pan, creating a compact base. Chill in the fridge to set while you prepare the filling.
  4. In a large bowl, mix the ricotta with the cream cheese until creamy and lump-free.
  5. Add the sugar and continue to stir until it has completely dissolved in the mixture.
  6. Incorporate one egg at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  7. Add the orange zest and juice, vanilla extract, flour, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until you have a smooth mixture.
  8. Pour the filling over the biscuit base in the pan.
  9. Bake for about 60-70 minutes or until the center of the cheesecake is still slightly wobbly and the edges are well cooked.
  10. Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside with the door slightly open for about 1 hour; this will help prevent cracking.
  11. Remove the cheesecake from the oven, let it cool down completely at room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, better if overnight, before serving.

Did you know?

Cheesecake is a dessert with ancient origins, which can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. The modern version with creamy cheese, however, is considered to be of American origin. The variation with ricotta is very popular in Italy and can be considered a reinterpretation closer to Italian tastes.

Serve your cheesecake with a sprinkle of orange zest or with an orange sauce for an added touch of freshness. Enjoy your meal!

Baked Ricotta and Orange Cheesecake