Description
Sicilian-inspired cannoli cheesecake bars merge creamy ricotta magic with classic dessert charm. Rich layers of sweet mascarpone, crunchy pistachios, and delicate chocolate chips create a Mediterranean dessert paradise you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) ricotta cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) whipped cream
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (90 grams) powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (85 grams) mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) chopped pistachios
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Garnish:
- Chocolate chips
- Pistachios
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 325F (160C) and ready a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring extended edges for effortless removal.
- Create the graham cracker foundation by thoroughly blending crumbs with melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. Press the mixture compactly into the pan’s base, forming a uniform crust.
- Craft the creamy filling by whipping ricotta and cream cheese until velvety smooth. Incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest, mixing until perfectly integrated.
- Gently fold mini chocolate chips and chopped pistachios into the cheese mixture, distributing ingredients evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour the luxurious filling over the prepared crust, ensuring an even distribution across the entire surface.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, watching for set edges and a slightly trembling center, indicating perfect consistency.
- Allow the cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or overnight to achieve optimal firmness.
- Once thoroughly chilled, extract the dessert using parchment paper edges and slice into precise rectangular bars.
- Enhance presentation by topping each bar with a delicate whipped cream dollop and sprinkling additional chocolate chips and pistachios for visual and textural appeal.
Notes
- Chill ingredients before mixing to ensure a smooth, creamy cheesecake texture without lumps.
- Avoid overmixing the cheesecake batter to prevent cracking and maintain a silky consistency.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and ricotta for easier blending and a more uniform filling.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 275 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg