Ricotta and Coffee Cream Dessert from Marcella Hazan
Marcella Hazan’s Ricotta and Coffee Cream Dessert is a chilled Italian dessert made by blending ricotta, espresso, sugar, and dark rum together until smooth, then spooning the mixture into bowls to rest overnight in the refrigerator.
The mixture comes together entirely in the food processor, giving the ricotta a lighter, creamier texture while the espresso and rum settle into the dessert as it chills. By the next day, the flavors taste fuller and more balanced, with the coffee becoming deeper and more noticeable against the ricotta.
It’s one of the quickest desserts to prepare ahead, especially since most of the work is finished in just a few minutes before refrigeration.
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About this Recipe
This dessert depends heavily on the texture and flavor of the ricotta itself.
A smoother, creamier ricotta produces a more cohesive final texture, while drier or grainier ricotta can leave the dessert feeling slightly heavier even after processing. If the ricotta seems especially wet, let it drain briefly beforehand so the finished cream holds its shape better after chilling.
Before transferring the mixture into serving bowls, taste it directly from the food processor. Depending on the strength of the espresso or the ricotta you use, you may want slightly more sugar, additional espresso, or even a small pinch of salt to bring the flavors into better balance.
The overnight rest also matters more than it might seem at first. The texture firms up noticeably in the refrigerator, while the coffee and rum settle more evenly throughout the ricotta.
Ingredients
- Ricotta
- Espresso
- Dark rum
- Sugar
- Coffee beans, for garnish
Ingredient Notes
1. Ricotta
The consistency of the ricotta affects the final dessert quite a bit. Creamier ricotta blends more smoothly and produces a softer texture after chilling, while drier ricotta creates a slightly thicker, more structured dessert.
2. Espresso
The espresso becomes more pronounced as the dessert chills overnight. Brew a very strong espresso or coffee for this recipe so the flavor still comes through clearly once combined with the ricotta, sugar, and rum.
3. Dark Rum
Dark rum works better here than lighter styles because it adds deeper caramel and molasses notes that fit naturally with the espresso and ricotta. A lighter rum can taste sharper or thinner once chilled, while dark rum gives the dessert a warmer, fuller flavor after resting overnight.
Because the rum is never cooked, the alcohol remains in the finished dessert. Keep that in mind when serving, and be sure guests know that it contains alcohol.
The Recipe
Ricotta and Coffee Cream Dessert
Ingredients
- 1½ lb fresh ricotta
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 5 tbsp dark rum
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp very strong espresso coffee
- whole coffee beans, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the ricotta, sugar, rum, and coffee into a food processor.
- Process to a creamy consistency.
- Taste and adjust flavoring, as needed.
- Pour into dessert cups and refrigerate overnight.
- Before serving, garnish with whole coffee beans. Serve cold.
Cooking Tip: Taste Before Chilling
Because the dessert is served cold, the flavors become slightly muted after refrigeration.
Before pouring the mixture into serving bowls, taste it directly from the food processor and adjust as needed. A little more espresso can deepen the coffee flavor, extra sugar can soften bitterness, and a small pinch of salt can help the ricotta, rum, and espresso taste more balanced together.
Serve With
- Espresso or cappuccino
- Biscotti or almond cookies
- Dark chocolate
- Fresh whipped cream
If you want a dessert that can be prepared almost entirely ahead of time, this one works especially well.
The mixture comes together quickly, chills overnight, and feels more finished and balanced by the next day than it does immediately after blending.
Because the dark rum is added directly into the mixture and never cooked, the alcohol remains present in the finished dessert. Be sure to serve it only to guests of legal drinking age and let anyone eating it know that it contains alcohol.
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