Sicilian Cheesecake

Wonderfully soft and delicious cheesecake that uses ricotta cheese instead of cream cheese. Very, very easy to make!

Original recipe makes 10 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups crushed chocolate cookies
3 tablespoons butter

2 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons finely chopped candied lemon and orange peel
2 tablespoons creme de cacao liqueur
2 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, grated

1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, or to taste
2 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, grated

PREP

30 mins
READY IN

6 hrs 30 mins

Directions

In a small bowl, mix together the crushed cookies and butter. Press into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
In a medium bowl, beat the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy using an electric mixer. Stir in candied peel and 2 ounces of grated chocolate by hand. Spoon the filling over the chilled crust, and smooth out the top surface. Refrigerate for 6 hours, or overnight.
Just before serving, whip cream with 1 tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar until stiff in a small bowl using an electric mixer. Run a knife around the outside edge of the cake, and remove the sides of the pan. Spread the whipped cream over the top of the cake, and sprinkle with remaining grated chocolate. Serve immediately.