How to Make Pastiera di Pasqua (Italian Easter Tart with Ricotta) - A Step-by-Step Guide

Pastiera di Pasqua, also known as Italian Easter Tart with Ricotta, is a traditional dessert that is typically enjoyed during the Easter holiday in Italy. This sweet and creamy tart is made with a rich filling of ricotta cheese, cooked wheat berries, and fragrant orange blossom water, all encased in a buttery pastry crust.

The origins of Pastiera di Pasqua can be traced back to Naples, where it has been a beloved Easter treat for centuries. It is said that the recipe was first created...

Read more Snack recipes

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅓ cups cooked wheat grains
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 medium lemons, zested, divided
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 ¾ cups white sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon orange flower water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup chopped candied orange peel
  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, or more to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 1 11-inch tart

  • Bring wheat grains, milk, butter, and 1/2 of the lemon zest to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat. Simmer until creamy, about 10 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 11-inch tart pan.
  • Combine ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, orange flower water, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until well combined. Mix in remaining lemon zest and candied orange peel. Fold in wheat mixture and mix filling until well combined.
  • Roll out 1 sheet puff pastry on a lightly floured surface so it will fit into the tart pan. Place pastry in the pan and spoon filling on top. Roll out the second puff pastry sheet and cut into 3/4-inch thick strips. Layer a lattice pattern on top of the filling and brush with beaten egg.
  • Bake tart in the preheated oven until filling is set and lattice is lightly browned, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool inside the tart pan, at least 1 hour.
  • Carefully unmold tart, transfer onto a cake platter. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
  • Nutrition

    722 cal.

    • Total Fat: 33g
    • Saturated Fat: 11g
    • Cholesterol: 144mg
    • Sodium: 257mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 96g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 47g
    • Protein: 16g
    • Vitamin C: 19mg
    • Calcium: 214mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 226mg