Description
These Ricotta Crumb Bars feature a buttery, crumbly crust topped with a smooth, sweet ricotta filling, perfect for a delicious dessert or snack. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, they are a delightful treat that combines creamy texture with a crisp topping.
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup butter, cubed
Filling
- 1 (15 oz) tub ricotta cheese
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make crust mixture: In a food processor, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Pulse to sift and mix them evenly. Add the cubed butter and process until the mixture resembles a sandy, crumbly texture.
- Form crust layer: Spoon about two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the prepared baking dish. Press it down evenly to form a solid crust across the bottom.
- Prepare filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly until the filling is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble bars: Pour the ricotta filling evenly over the crust in the baking dish. Then sprinkle the remaining one-third of the crust mixture evenly over the top of the filling to create the crumb topping.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is set.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely before slicing into 12 bars for serving.
Notes
- Use cold butter for best crumbly crust texture.
- Allowing the bars to cool completely ensures clean slices.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Optional: dust with powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
