Short Description

A delightful dessert featuring silky baked ricotta custards topped with a tangy-sweet cherry compote infused with citrus and delicate orange blossom water. Elegant, indulgent, and surprisingly simple to make.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This dish pairs creamy, lightly sweetened ricotta custards with a bright, aromatic cherry topping. The vanilla-like hint from orange blossom water elevates the compote, while the custards boast a lush texture perfect for entertaining or ending a meal on a sophisticated note.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Orange Blossom‑Cherry Compote:

1 cup fresh or frozen sweet cherries, pitted and halved
3 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tsp orange blossom water

For the Ricotta Custards:

1 Tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature, for greasing ramekins)
1½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese (14 oz), drained overnight in a fine-mesh strainer
3 Tbsp mild honey
1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
1 large egg

Directions

Make the Cherry Compote
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine cherries, sugar, and orange juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cherries soften and the sauce thickens into syrup, about 20–25 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in orange blossom water, then set aside to cool to room temperature.
Prepare the Ricotta Custards
Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Grease four 4‑oz ramekins with butter and place them on a baking sheet.
In a bowl, whisk together ricotta, honey, lemon zest, and egg until smooth. Divide mixture evenly among ramekins, smoothing the tops.
Bake
Bake until the custards puff slightly and develop a light golden top, about 30–35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool briefly at room temperature.
Serve
Spoon warm cherry compote over each custard. Serve immediately.

Servings And Timing

Serves: 4
Prep Time: ~10 minutes (plus overnight drainage for ricotta)
Cook Time: ~35 minutes
Total Time: ~45 minutes (excluding overnight drainage)

Variations

Cheese Swap: Substitute part of the ricotta with mascarpone for a richer custard.
Sweetener Options: Use maple syrup or agave instead of honey.
Fruit Twists: Try stone fruits like peaches or plums in place of cherries for a seasonal spin.
Herbal Note: Garnish with fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios.
Citrus Aroma: Add a little orange zest to the custard for extra brightness.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Keep leftover custards (without compote) covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm gently in a 325 °F oven for 5–7 minutes or use a low microwave setting.
Compote Storage: Store cherry sauce separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently before serving.

FAQs

1. Do I have to drain the ricotta overnight?

Draining removes excess moisture and yields a creamy texture. If you’re short on time, drain for at least 2–3 hours, though overnight is ideal.

2. Can I use low‑fat ricotta?

Yes, but whole-milk ricotta gives a richer custard. Low-fat versions will be lighter and slightly less creamy.

3. What’s the role of orange blossom water?

It adds a subtle floral lift and sweet citrus aroma—optional but highly recommended for depth.

4. Can I omit the honey?

Yes—use maple syrup or increase sugar slightly. Or reduce sweetener entirely for a less sweet version.

5. Can the cherry compote be made ahead?

Absolutely. Prepare it a day in advance and reheat gently before spooning over custards.

6. Can I freeze this dessert?

Custards don’t freeze well (texture changes). You can freeze the compote, but thaw and warm before serving.

7. What temperature should I bake at?

A steady oven at 400 °F gives a tender set and slight golden top. Adjust by ±25 °F if your oven runs hot or cool.

8. Are ramekins necessary?

Small oven-safe dishes work too. You just want individual portions that bake evenly.

9. Can I double the recipe?

Yes. Just drain more ricotta and use additional ramekins; bake time remains the same.

10. How do I serve it chilled?

You can serve plant-based or room-temperature. For chilled custards, refrigerate fully and spoon cold compote on top.

Conclusion

Baked Ricotta with Orange Blossom‑Cherry Sauce is a gorgeous, easy dessert that balances creamy custard, bright cherry flavors, and elegant floral notes. Perfect for brunch or dinner parties—simple to prepare, stunning to serve, and sure to impress.

Ezabella

Baked Ricotta With Orange Blossom‑Cherry Sauce