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Orange Ricotta & Mascarpone Tart with Rosemary Crust

This delicious orange ricotta-mascarpone tart is simple and delicious, elevated with a little rosemary in the crust.
Prep Time35 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 1 large tart

Ingredients

  • FOR THE PASTRY CRUST
  • 12 tablespoons of cold unsalted butter, cut in pieces
  • 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • I needed some water to make it come together
  • Optional: A bit of fresh rosemary chopped finely
  • FOR THE FILLING
  • 2 cups of full-fat ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup of mascarpone cheese
  • Scant 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs beaten
  • Grated zest from 1 medium orange and 1/2 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla paste or extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract
  • 3/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice
  • Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  • I find it easiest to make the pastry dough in a food processor (see notes below if you don't have one).  Put the flour, butter, sugar, and chopped rosemary in the bowl of the processor and pulse until the mixture starts to combine. 
  • Then add the egg yolk and pulse until the mixture is in pea-size clumps.  Then add a bit of water as needed to bring it together (not too wet!).  
  • Transfer the mixture to your counter and work the dough with your hands until you get a smooth pastry dough in a big lump.  This should only take a minute, you don't want to over-work it.
  • Lightly flour the counter and roll out the dough.  Carefully transfer it a 10 inch round tart tin (or a long rectangular one like I used), with a removable bottom.  Place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
  • In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350 F and make the filling.
  • Put the ricotta and mascarpone in a large bowl (I use a stand mixer) and beat until smooth.
  • Add the sugar, eggs, orange juice, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon, and all the citrus zest, and beat until thoroughly combined.  It will be pretty runny.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared pastry case.  Bake for 40 to 55 minutes, until the filling is set (will depend on your pan).
  • Remove the tart from the oven and let cool in the tin.  Once cooled dust with icing sugar and serve.  I used some cute stencils to make shapes.

Notes

  • If you don't have a food processor, make the crust like you'd make a shortbread...in a mixer use softened butter instead and cream the butter and sugar, then add the other ingredients
  • This will make a lot more filling than you need; you can bake it by itself for a souffle-like dessert, or extra pastry crust for little tartlets