Ricotta Pie (Old Italian Recipe)

Name: Ricotta Pie (Old Italian Recipe)
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 120 min
Yield: 2 deep-dish pies
Ingredients: 12 large eggs eggs; 2 cups white sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 pounds ricotta cheese; ¼ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips, or to taste; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 5 teaspoons baking powder; 1 cup white sugar; ½ cup shortening, chilled; 1 tablespoon shortening, chilled; 4 large eggs eggs, lightly beaten; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon milk

Rating: 4.44 stars

81 Ratings
69 Reviews
14 Photos

This is an old Italian recipe for a pie with a sweet crust--just like from the old country. My in-laws are Italian and they say that this is the best pie. It is always requested for Christmas. Mini chocolate bits and lemon rind can be mixed into the batter.

By Misty

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Recipe Summary

prep:

45 mins

cook:

45 mins

additional:

1 hr 30 mins

total:

3 hrs

Servings:

Yield:

2 deep-dish pies

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1
Beat the 12 eggs, 2 cups sugar and vanilla extract together in a large bowl. Stir in the ricotta cheese and the chocolate chips, if using (see Cook's Note). Set aside.

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Step 2
Combine the flour, baking powder, and 1 cup sugar together. Cut in 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in 4 beaten eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Divide dough into 4 balls, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Step 3
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease two deep-dish pie plates.
Step 4
Roll out 2 of the balls to fit into the pie pans. Do not make the crust too thick, as it will expand during cooking. Do not flute the edges of the dough. Roll out the other 2 balls of dough and cut each into 8 narrow strips for the top of the crust. (Alternately, you can use cookie cutters and place the cutouts on the top of the pies.)
Step 5
Pour the ricotta filling evenly into the pie crusts. Top each pie with 8 narrow strips of dough or cookie cut-outs. Brush top of pie with milk for shine, if desired. Place foil on the edge of crust.
Step 6
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes; remove foil. Rotate pies on the rack so they will bake evenly. Continue to bake until a knife inserted in the center of each pie comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes more. Cool completely on wire racks. Refrigerate until serving.

Cook's Note:

Instead of the chocolate chips, you can use 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

352 calories; protein 12.9g; carbohydrates 45.6g; fat 13.4g; cholesterol 141.6mg; sodium 220.1mg. Full Nutrition

Reviews (69)

Most helpful positive review

Tanya Belt

04/29/2003

This recipe is indeed an old itilian recipe. MY mother in law is from Italy and I have made one very similar for many years. I will try this one for this Easter. This kind of cheese pie is very different from a regular cheam cheese pie, I think you have to either hate it or love it. We love it. We have it for Easter as a tradition . It does have an eggy taste but thats what it is supposed to have. Try it you will like it. Read More

Helpful

(120)

Most helpful critical review

MICHELELYNN

04/14/2003

This recipe requires 16 eggs 12 of which are in the filling....unfortunately it tastes very "eggy" and was unappealing. Otherwise the pies look good and are somewhat tasty. Read More

Helpful

(70)

81 Ratings

5 star values: 51
4 star values: 20
3 star values: 6
2 star values: 3
1 star values: 1

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Tanya Belt

04/29/2003

Helpful

(120)

PAULABMP

12/15/2003

I made this recipe last Easter and was so happy to find it again on this web site (after misplacing it) that I signed up. I did not find it "eggy" at all. It came out just like the ricotta pies we had at Easter when I was a kid, delicious! Read More

Helpful

(91)

MICHELELYNN

04/14/2003

This recipe requires 16 eggs 12 of which are in the filling....unfortunately it tastes very "eggy" and was unappealing. Otherwise the pies look good and are somewhat tasty. Read More

Helpful

(70)

bellalana

04/18/2014

I didn't find a THING wrong with this recipe,,it was easy,and probably the best ricotta pie I ever had,,Everyone LOVED it,I made one with chocolate chips and one without,,BOTH WERE FANTASTIC,thank you so much for posting! Don't change a thing about it (people that CHANGE recipes and complain about it,,tick me off...) Read More

Helpful

(39)

Gin

04/07/2007

Based on the reviews of other I cut back on the eggs and only used 10. I also added 4 pounds of ricotta instead of 3. This made the pies less custard like but they were too sweet. Otherwise a very good recipe. Next time I will also cut back on the sugar. Read More

Helpful

(33)

Brad

05/31/2008

Absolutely delicious. Probably the best pie I've ever had. I did cheat and use premade crust. Next I plan to try it with a little crushed pineapple. Read More

Helpful

(29)

Connie G

12/13/2005

This is a beautiful recipe I have replaced my recipe for this one. I have made it for Easter for the past 2 years. Great!! Read More

Helpful

(26)

Judy A

04/01/2005

I've tried to make different versions of this pie and this one was far and above the best. Its the first time my family really raved about this pie. Read More

Helpful

(26)

Jess

10/21/2009

This was absolutely delightful! The flavor of this reminds me a lot of English custard as well as in texture to a small degree. My boyfriend and I made it for a dinner party with some of our friends and it was enjoyed ( and eaten right up) by everyone. The one downfall is the amount it makes. We made one 9 inch and one 7 inch pie and still have enough mix to make probably two or possibly three more 9 inch pies. So if your not looking to make pies for the masses I would suggest halving it!! Read More

Helpful

(25)

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All Reviews for Ricotta Pie (Old Italian Recipe)

- of Reviews

Ricotta Pie (Old Italian Recipe)

Servings Per Recipe: 24
Calories: 352.1

% Daily Value *

protein: 26 %

carbohydrates: 15 %

dietary fiber: 3 %

sugars:

fat: 21 %

saturated fat: 27 %

cholesterol: 47 %

vitamin a iu: 8 %

niacin equivalents: 29 %

vitamin b6: 4 %

folate: 15 %

calcium: 23 %

iron: 11 %

magnesium: 7 %

potassium: 4 %

sodium: 9 %

thiamin: 20 %

calories from fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Ricotta Pie (Old Italian Recipe)

1 of 69

All Reviews

Tanya Belt

04/29/2003

Helpful

(120)

PAULABMP

12/15/2003

Helpful

(91)

MICHELELYNN

04/14/2003

This recipe requires 16 eggs 12 of which are in the filling....unfortunately it tastes very "eggy" and was unappealing. Otherwise the pies look good and are somewhat tasty.

Helpful

(70)

bellalana

04/18/2014

Helpful

(39)

Gin