Ricotta Crumb Bars
These delicate and tender ricotta crumb bars feature a buttery, crumbly crust and topping layered around a sweet ricotta cheese filling. They are easy to prepare and perfect for a simple dessert or treat.
Equipment
- 13 x 9 inch baking dish
- food processor
- Medium mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon butter, for greasing the baking dish
- 2 cups ricotta cheese (1 lb)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease the bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with 1 Tablespoon of butter.
- In a food processor, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Pulse a few times to combine. Add the butter, in 1 Tablespoon pieces to the flour and pulse to combine, until the butter is dispersed in the flour and is a crumbly texture with pea sized butter pieces throughout.
- In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until thoroughly combined.
- Put ⅔ of the flour mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and firmly press it into the bottom of the dish.
- Pour the cheese mixture over the crust and sprinkle the remaining flour mixture over the top of the ricotta filling.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Let the bars cool for 10 minutes before cutting them into pieces.
- They will be very delicate and tender, so be gently when you are handling them. Store at room temperature, covered.
Notes
If you want the crust to have a more buttery and shortbread cookie consistency and be less crumbly, add more butter. You can use about ¼–⅓ cup more butter, and the crust will not be as crumbly. The bars are very delicate and tender, so handle them gently. Store covered at room temperature.