Ricotta Cherry Delight Bars (Print)

Creamy ricotta blends with cherries atop buttery crust and sweet crumble for a delicious bar dessert.

# Ingredients:

→ Crust

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Ricotta Filling

05 - 1 cup ricotta cheese, well-drained
06 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Cherry Layer

10 - 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
12 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch
13 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

→ Crumble Topping

14 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
15 - 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
16 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, salt, and cold butter. Mix with a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Press mixture evenly into the base of the prepared pan and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until lightly golden.
03 - In a mixing bowl, beat together ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until mixture is smooth and well combined.
04 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and cherries release juices, about 5 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
05 - Combine flour, brown sugar, and cold butter in a bowl. Rub together with fingertips until coarse crumbs form.
06 - Spread ricotta filling evenly over baked crust. Spoon cherry mixture over ricotta layer. Sprinkle crumble topping uniformly over the cherries.
07 - Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, until topping is golden and filling is set. Cool completely in pan, then lift bars out with parchment and slice into portions.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Quick prep and bake so you get dessert on the table in one hour
  • Flexible with seasonal or frozen fruit so you can make this year round
  • Simple tools and pantry staples make the recipe easy for beginners or last minute cravings
02 -
  • Vegetarian friendly so perfect for meatless gatherings
  • High in protein thanks to creamy ricotta
  • Easily adaptable for gluten free diets with a simple flour swap
  • Make ahead friendly since bars can be chilled and sliced whenever needed
03 -
  • Chill bars before slicing for cleaner edges and easy serving
  • Use parchment paper with generous overhang so you can lift the entire dessert out effortlessly
  • Rub the crumble topping quickly to keep the butter cold for the best texture
  • Taste your cherries before using. If they are extra sweet cut back the sugar slightly in the layer
  • Try mixing a little almond extract into the ricotta for an Italian bakery vibe

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