Description
These Light and Fluffy Ricotta Almond Pillows are delightful melt-in-your-mouth treats, featuring a soft ricotta-based dough infused with almond flavor and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect for a light dessert or an afternoon snack, these pillows combine the richness of ricotta with the delicate crunch of slivered almonds.
Ingredients
Scale
Ricotta Almond Pillow Dough
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (Substitution: Mascarpone or blended cottage cheese)
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
- 1 large Egg (binder)
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (Substitution: Gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/3 cup Slivered Almonds
For Finishing
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (for dusting)
- 1 tablespoon Butter or Oil (for greasing the pan)
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking sheet with butter or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and egg. Mix together until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution and a light texture.
- Incorporate Dry Into Wet: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the ricotta mixture gently, taking care not to overmix to maintain a fluffy consistency.
- Add Almonds: Fold in the slivered almonds evenly throughout the dough to add a subtle crunch and almond flavor.
- Shape Dough: Shape the dough into pillow-like balls using your hands and place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the pillows turn lightly golden on the edges, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool and Finish: Remove from the oven and let the pillows cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Dust generously with powdered sugar before serving for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- You can substitute ricotta with mascarpone or blended cottage cheese if desired for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- For gluten-free options, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding dry ingredients to keep the pillows tender and fluffy.
- Ensure even spacing of dough balls on the baking sheet to allow for proper air circulation and even baking.
- Dust with powdered sugar only after cooling to prevent melting and sogginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: ricotta pillows, almond cookies, light desserts, fluffy baked treats, easy Italian dessert
