Golden Ricotta Drizzled with Sweet Honey & Zesty Lemon Recipe

Sweet, creamy ricotta with honey and lemon dances on the palate with delightful Mediterranean charm.

Soft Italian cheese blends seamlessly with golden honey natural sweetness.

Each spoonful carries a zesty lemon undertone that brightens the entire dish.

The simple combination creates a sophisticated dessert that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Rich textures mingle with bright, clean flavors that awaken the senses.

Drizzle this elegant treat over toast, pair with fresh berries, or enjoy it straight from the bowl.

Get ready to savor a classic Italian-inspired delight that promises pure culinary pleasure.

Tools That Help Prepare Ricotta with Honey and Lemon

• Food Processor or Blender: Essential for creating a smooth ricotta mixture.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Needed to warm honey quickly and safely.
• Measuring Tablespoons: For precise honey and olive oil measurements.
• Serving Bowl: To present the creamy ricotta mixture.
• Lemon Zester or Grater: Helps extract fresh lemon zest.
• Spatula: For scraping down processor sides and smooth transfer.
• Pepper Grinder: To add fresh cracked pepper as garnish.

Instructions for Whipping Ricotta with Honey and Lemon

• Ricotta Mixture Preparation

Gather your creamy ricotta and blend it with fragrant olive oil, a pinch of salt, and aromatic rosemary. Add a touch of golden honey to create a luxurious base.

• Citrus Awakening

Carefully zest a bright lemon, releasing its vibrant essence. Squeeze the lemon’s juice into the mixture, infusing it with a tangy brightness that will dance on your taste buds.

• Smooth Transformation

Pulse the ingredients in a food processor, watching as the mixture transforms into a silky, whipped delight. Scrape the sides to ensure every bit is perfectly blended.

• Honey Drizzle

Gently warm some honey to create a flowing golden river. Just before serving, let the warm honey cascade over the creamy ricotta, creating a mesmerizing contrast of temperatures and textures.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle fresh cracked pepper and a whisper of lemon zest on top. Serve alongside crusty bread or crisp crackers, inviting friends and family to dive into this simple yet elegant appetizer.

Add-Ins to Sweeten Ricotta with Honey and Lemon

• Honey Drizzle Delight: Experiment with different honey varieties like lavender, orange blossom, or wildflower to add unique flavor profiles to your ricotta spread.
• Herbal Twist: Swap rosemary for fresh thyme, basil, or mint to create exciting herbal variations that complement the creamy ricotta base.
• Texture Upgrade: For an extra-smooth consistency, strain the ricotta through a cheesecloth for 30 minutes before blending to remove excess moisture and create a silkier texture.
• Flavor Boosters: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of truffle oil to elevate the ricotta spread and surprise your taste buds with unexpected depth and complexity.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the ricotta mixture up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving.

Serve Ricotta with Honey and Lemon on Toast or Fruit

• Sweet Morning Delight: Spread this creamy ricotta on warm, golden toast for a breakfast that feels like a luxurious treat. The honey and lemon create a bright, tangy morning boost.
• Elegant Appetizer Spread: Serve this ricotta mixture as a sophisticated dip at dinner parties. Arrange crackers, sliced baguette, and fresh herbs around the bowl for a stunning presentation that guests will love.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Brunch Platter: Create a beautiful brunch board with this ricotta as the centerpiece. Surround it with fresh figs, sliced almonds, olives, and additional drizzled honey for a Mediterranean-style feast that transports you to sunny coastal regions.
• Dessert Canvas: Transform this ricotta into a light, refreshing dessert by topping it with fresh berries, a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, and an extra drizzle of warm honey. It's a perfect end to a summer meal that feels both indulgent and fresh.

Storage Advice for Ricotta with Honey and Lemon

• Quick Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate the ricotta mixture for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor depth and create a more refreshing texture.
• Smart Batch Preparation: Make larger quantities and store in sealed glass containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, perfect for quick snacks or unexpected guests.
• Temperature Serving Tips: Remove ricotta from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving to soften slightly, allowing maximum flavor release and smooth spreading consistency.
• Flexible Storage Solutions: Freeze portions in small airtight containers for up to 2 weeks, ideal for meal prep or creating quick appetizers when unexpected company arrives.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 405 kcal

Servings: 5

Ricotta with Honey and Lemon Ingredient Essentials

• Whole Milk Ricotta: Creamy base that provides smooth, luxurious texture and rich dairy flavor perfect for spreading.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances the sweetness of honey.

• Fresh Rosemary: Brings earthy, pine-like fragrance that complements the ricotta's mild profile.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Adds bright, citrusy notes that cut through the richness and provide a refreshing tang.
• Fresh Cracked Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and complexity to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Adds silky richness and helps blend flavors seamlessly.
• Honey: Delivers natural sweetness and creates beautiful golden drizzle over the ricotta.
• Baguette, Crackers: Serve as crispy, crunchy vehicles for scooping and enjoying the creamy spread.

Creamy Ricotta with Honey and Lemon

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy homemade ricotta with honey and lemon combines Mediterranean simplicity and rustic charm. Salt, milk, and fresh herbs create a delightful spread you can savor with crusty bread or seasonal fruit.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 16 oz (454 g) whole milk ricotta
• 4 tbsps (60 mL) honey
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) olive oil
• 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Fresh cracked pepper
• Baguette or crackers for dipping

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Combine ricotta, olive oil, salt, rosemary, honey, and lemon in a food processor, ensuring all ingredients are at room temperature for optimal blending.
2. Blending: Pulse the mixture, incorporating olive oil, salt, and finely chopped rosemary while periodically scraping the processor’s sides to achieve a silky, uniform texture.
3. Zesting and Flavoring: Grate the lemon’s outer skin and add both zest and freshly squeezed juice into the processor, intensifying the citrus profile and creating depth of flavor.
4. Texture Refinement: Continue processing until the ricotta transforms into a smooth, light consistency with no visible chunks, ensuring a creamy and elegant spread.
5. Plating and Garnishing: Transfer the whipped ricotta to a serving dish, creating elegant swoops and peaks, then gently warm honey in a microwave-safe container.
6. Final Touches: Drizzle the warmed honey across the ricotta’s surface, sprinkle additional lemon zest and cracked black pepper for a final aromatic burst.
7. Serving Suggestion: Present the spread alongside crusty baguette slices or crisp artisan crackers, offering a versatile appetizer or light dessert option.

Notes

• Zest with Precision: Grate only the lemon’s yellow outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
• Blend for Smoothness: Pulse ingredients in short bursts, scraping processor sides to achieve a silky, lump-free texture.
• Warm Honey Carefully: Heat honey briefly in microwave, stopping before it becomes too hot and loses its delicate flavor.
• Serve Creatively: Pair with toasted baguette slices or crisp crackers to complement the ricotta’s creamy, bright profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 405
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 233 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg