Strawberry and Ricotta Tart

Few desserts capture the essence of summer like a Strawberry and Ricotta Tart. This simple yet elegant treat combines crisp, golden pastry with creamy ricotta and a luscious strawberry topping. Whipping the ricotta creates a texture so light and airy that it almost feels like eating a cloud. Velvety, decadent, and effortlessly delicious. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply indulging yourself, this tart is the perfect weekend bake.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Creating the Perfect Puff Pastry Base
• Whipping Ricotta: The Key to a Cloud-Like Texture
• Mastering the Strawberry Topping
• Serving Suggestions: Strawberry and Ricotta Tart
• More Strawberry Recipes

Ingredient Breakdown

• Puff pastry: Buttery and flaky, creating a crisp base for the tart.
• Egg: Brushed over the pastry for a glossy, golden finish.
• Strawberries: Juicy, sweet, and slightly tart, forming the flavourful topping.
• Sugar: Enhances sweetness and balances the tang of the strawberries and lemon.
• Lemon juice: Lifts the flavour and adds a subtle citrusy brightness.
• Cornflour: Thickens the strawberry mixture for a perfectly set topping.
• Rose extract: Introduces floral notes that complement the strawberries beautifully.
• Ricotta: Whipped to perfection, making the filling light and creamy.
• Icing sugar: Sweetens the ricotta without overpowering its delicate flavour.
• Vanilla extract (optional): Adds warmth and depth to the ricotta filling.

Creating the Perfect Puff Pastry Base

Achieving the perfect puff pastry base for your Strawberry and Ricotta Tart is all about understanding how butter and steam interact. Puff pastry consists of multiple layers of dough and butter, which expand when exposed to high heat. As the butter melts, it releases steam, forcing the dough layers apart and creating that signature flakiness.

To ensure the best texture, the pastry should be cold before baking. This prevents the butter from melting too quickly and seeping into the dough. This would result in a denser, greasier base – which we don’t want. Scoring the pastry lightly before baking also helps direct the rise, ensuring a crisp yet structured shape. If you want extra layers of crunch, you can blind bake the pastry with baking beans for the first few minutes before removing them and finishing the bake.

Another crucial factor is cooling the pastry completely before assembling the tart. Even the slightest residual warmth could cause the ricotta to soften too much. This will result in a runnier filling that won’t hold its shape. 

Whipping Ricotta: The Key to a Cloud-Like Texture

Ricotta is naturally grainy due to its curdled nature. When whipped correctly, however, it transforms into a silky, luxurious filling that’s both airy and satisfying. The key to achieving this light consistency is to whisk the ricotta thoroughly, either by hand, with an electric mixer, or in a food processor.

Whisking breaks down any remaining graininess and incorporates air into the cheese, making it fluffier. Adding icing sugar instead of granulated sugar is important here. Its fine texture dissolves easily and prevents any grittiness in the final mixture. If you want an ultra-light texture, you can pass the ricotta through a sieve before whipping. This removes any stubborn lumps and ensures a smooth finish.

For extra richness, some bakers like to fold in a small amount of double cream or mascarpone. This isn’t necessary for this tart but can be a useful trick if you want to experiment with variations. If making the tart in advance, keep the ricotta mixture refrigerated until just before assembling to maintain its light and airy texture.

Mastering the Strawberry Topping

Strawberries are the star of this tart, and cooking them down with sugar and lemon juice intensifies their natural sweetness. The addition of cornflour, mixed with a splash of water, thickens the sauce just enough to coat each berry in a silky glaze. Stirring in rose extract at the very end brings a floral aroma that pairs beautifully with the fruit, creating a subtle complexity that elevates the tart from simple to sophisticated.

Allowing the strawberry mixture to cool completely is key. This ensures it sets properly, preventing the tart from becoming too soft when assembled. For an extra layer of flavour, consider using a mix of strawberries and raspberries or a hint of orange zest alongside the lemon juice.

Serving Suggestions: Strawberry and Ricotta Tart

While this Strawberry and Ricotta Tart is stunning on its own, the right accompaniments can elevate it even further. If serving at a summer gathering, consider pairing it with a lightly whipped vanilla cream or a scoop of homemade honey yoghurt ice cream. These additions enhance the creaminess of the ricotta while introducing complementary flavours without overwhelming the tart.

For a more textural contrast, toasted almonds or pistachios make an excellent garnish, adding a nutty crunch that pairs beautifully with both strawberries and ricotta. If you’re feeling indulgent, a drizzle of balsamic reduction over the strawberries can intensify their sweetness while adding a sophisticated tang.

When it comes to drinks, a chilled dessert wine like Moscato d’Asti or a lightly sparkling rosé complements the tart’s fruity, floral notes. Alternatively, a simple homemade lemon iced tea provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the ricotta and the buttery pastry.

If serving the tart for brunch, a dollop of Greek yoghurt with a drizzle of honey turns it into an elegant yet satisfying morning treat. Proof that this dessert is as versatile as it is delicious.

More Strawberry Recipes

If you loved this Strawberry and Ricotta Tart, or if you’re looking for more recipes to make the most of strawberries while they’re in season, then look no further:

• Strawberry Tiramisu: This fresh and fruity take on the Italian classic swaps coffee and chocolate for fresh strawberries, layered with a delicious homemade vanilla cream and strawberry-infused sponge fingers.
• Strawberry Lemonade: This vibrant strawberry lemonade is the perfect drink for a hot summer’s day.
• Strawberry and Elderflower Galette: This easy galette is the perfect sweet treat or dessert, combining the summery sweetness of strawberries with the subtle flavour of elderflower.

See how I make all these recipes and more over on my Instagram!