fiadone di ricotta (italian ricotta cheesecake)

Cape Coral, FL
Updated on Feb 24, 2026

I am half Italian and half French, so I enjoy all the rich Italian and French desserts, but who doesn't? I love to share the more traditional recipes for my husband and our 6 children, as opposed to the Americanized ones. Enjoy! This is commonly enjoyed around Easter.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This Fiadone Di Ricotta (Italian Ricotta Cheesecake) is super indulgent. It's a ricotta cheesecake wrapped in buttery and crispy phyllo dough. The creamy cheesecake filling has hints of orange zest and lemon mixed with dark chocolate chips. We enjoyed the orange sugar on the phyllo dough. Brown sugar and butter caramelize with nutty pecans for a wonderful topping. Each slice is decadent.

prep time 2 Hr 30 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake
yield 8 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • PASTRY
  • 1/2 package frozen phyllo sheet dough
  • 1 stick butter, melted
  • FILLING
  • 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese (cream cheese can be substituted)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup cooked arborio rice (optional)
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • ORANGE ZEST SUGAR
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh grated orange zest
  • TOPPING
  • 1 cup walnuts, pecans, or pine nuts
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

How To Make fiadone di ricotta (italian ricotta cheesecake)

  • Allow phyllo to thaw for about 10 minutes before unrolling.
    Step 1
    Allow phyllo to thaw for about 10 minutes before unrolling. Each box usually has two rolls, you will only need the one.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
    Step 2
    Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Lay singular sheets of phyllo, buttering the entire sheet between every layer. Continue to do it from different angles.
    Step 3
    In a circular metal cake pan, either spray non-stick cooking spray or butter with your pastry brush. Then lay singular sheets of phyllo, buttering the entire sheet between every layer. Continue to do it from different angles so that you end with a perfect circle. Leave flaps open at the moment.
  • Cream sugar and eggs. Then add all filling ingredients, save the chocolate chips.
    Step 4
    In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and eggs. Then add all filling ingredients, save the chocolate chips and optional rice. Beat for 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the chocolate chips and your optional rice with a wooden spoon.
    Step 5
    Stir in the chocolate chips and your optional rice with a wooden spoon.
  • Pour into the phyllo pan. Fold the corners over the filling, and butter with a brush.
    Step 6
    Pour into the phyllo pan. Fold the corners over the filling, and butter with a brush.
  • Place in the oven and cook until a toothpick comes out clean.
    Step 7
    Place in the oven and cook until a toothpick comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
  • Grate about a tablespoon of orange peel and add to a tablespoon of white sugar.
    Step 8
    To make optional orange zest sugar mixture, just grate about a tablespoon of orange peel and add to a tablespoon of white sugar. Stir. The natural oil should bond to the sugar. Then break it apart with your fingers when applying so that it is not clumpy.
  • Sprinkle your zest sugar mixture onto the phyllo portion, not the filling.
    Step 9
    Remove from oven. Sprinkle your zest sugar mixture onto the phyllo portion, not the filling.
  • Stir nuts until the brown sugar is melting, bubbly, and reduced.
    Step 10
    While cooling your pie, make the topping. Add topping ingredients except for the dark chocolate chips. Stir nuts until the brown sugar is melting, bubbly, and reduced.
  • Spoon the topping over the filling part only. Sprinkle chocolate chips.
    Step 11
    Spoon the topping over the filling part only. Sprinkle chocolate chips.
  • Chill.
    Step 12
    I like to serve this chilled, but my husband prefers it still warm. The cheesecake sets better if it is chilled first and then rewarmed to serve.

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)
calories: 886kcal, carbohydrates: 93g, cholesterol: 124mg, fat: 49g, fiber: 2g, protein: 15g, saturated fat: 26g, sodium: 345mg, sugar: 67g, unsaturated fat: 22g
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

Discover More

Culture: Italian
Category: Pies
Category: Chocolate
Ingredient: Dairy
Method: Bake
Collection: Holiday Baking

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