Description
These Light and Fluffy Ricotta Almond Pillows are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth pastries with a tender texture and a subtle almond flavor. Perfect for a light dessert or an elegant tea-time treat, these pillows combine the creamy richness of ricotta with the crunch of slivered almonds, lightly dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (Substitution: Mascarpone or blended cottage cheese as alternatives)
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
- 1 large Egg (Acts as a binder)
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (Substitution: Gluten-free flour blend if desired)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/3 cup Slivered Almonds
For Dusting and Preparation
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (For dusting)
- 1 tablespoon Butter or Oil (For greasing the pan)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 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 the egg. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution and prevent lumps.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the ricotta mixture gently. Be careful not to overmix, which could cause the pillows to become dense.
- Add Almonds: Fold in the slivered almonds evenly throughout the dough to add a pleasant crunch and almond flavor in every bite.
- Shape Dough: Shape the dough into small pillow-like balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in size, and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the pillows turn lightly golden on the edges.
- Cool and Dust: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the pillows cool on a wire rack for approximately 10 minutes. Once cooled, dust them generously with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ricotta cheese with mascarpone or blended cottage cheese for a different texture and flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the pillows light and fluffy.
- Shape the dough into evenly sized pillows to ensure uniform baking.
- These pillows are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Ricotta pillows, almond pillows, light dessert, fluffy pastries, ricotta cheese recipe, almond extract dessert, easy baked treats, Italian desserts
