I have found the answer to beating the summer heat. I am really not interested in sweating over the stove or oven when it comes to making summertime dessert.
This little concoction is a very yummy treat. Giada really got it right with this Ricotta Cappuccino. Magnificent might be a better description. It can easily be made ahead of time and ready to serve at your dinner party.
It’s elegant, simple and just so darn good. I had to give some away before I slurped it all up. I have always been a member of the clean your plate club and I was going for gold. Luckily I have good friends who are always willing to take food off my hands.
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If you come over for dinner this summer, I’m making this. I hope you like it.
Let’s make it together for now…
Here’s what you will need: Granulated sugar, vanilla bean, ricotta cheese, instant espresso powder, biscotti, ground cinnamon and cocoa powder.
Split 1/2 a vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.
Place 1/2 cup sugar in a food processor. Place the vanilla bean seeds in the processor with the sugar. Run the machine to make vanilla sugar. Add 1/2 Tablespoon instant espresso powder and the ricotta cheese to the vanilla sugar and run the processor for another minute. Stop the machine to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. Blend for another minute.
Spoon the mixture into 4 small coffee mugs. Refrigerate for at least one hour or up to one day.
To serve the cappuccino, top with crushed biscotti (I used Snickerdoodle biscotti, but use any kind) and sprinkle with ground cinnamon and cocoa powder.
This will fulfill your sweet tooth for the evening.
You don’t even have to make coffee with this dessert. So, no stove, no oven and no coffee. Your life just got easier.
Don’t skip the crushed biscotti, it really adds to the experience.
Ricotta Cappuccino
Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 vanilla bean
1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese, whole milk or part skim
1/2 Tablespoon instant espresso powder
1 (3-inch) biscotti, crushed
Pinch ground cinnamon
Pinch cocoa powder
Split 1/2 a vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.
Place sugar in a food processor. Place the vanilla bean seeds in the processor with the sugar. Run the machine to make vanilla sugar. Add instant espresso powder and the ricotta cheese to the vanilla sugar and run the processor for another minute. Stop the machine to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. Blend for another minute.
Spoon the mixture into 4 small coffee mugs. Refrigerate for at least one hour or up to one day.
To serve the cappuccino, top with crushed biscotti (I used Snickerdoodle biscotti, but use any kind) and sprinkle with ground cinnamon and cocoa powder.
Makes 4 (1/2 cup) servings.
Tanya says
Oh yum! This looks so easy to make and I LOVE ricotta! I must make this soon.
KathyB. says
This DOES look yummy, perfect for company as we sit outside on the porch and visit!
melissa says
This looks too easy to make! I swear I can smell it through the screen. I have a luncheon at the end of the week and I now have my dessert! You always seems to put out a recipe when I’m struggling to find the “right” one. Thanks
Rindy R says
This looks rich and yummy! It was 90 in Virginia this past weekend so I can appreciate a new recipe that doesn’t use an oven! Can’t wait to give this one a try.
Mental P Mama says
Heaven in a cup;)
RobinSue says
Just in time for the very hot weather we are having!
Lori E says
I’m looking forward to this. What time should I be there? Oh and you forgot to give me your address.
Oh…you were just kidding…okay. Meanie.
Bellini Valli says
I believe that Giada did get it right. This sounds amazing:D
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says
The ricotta cappuccino sounds very refreshing and yummy! Very creative!
HoneyB says
Looks so easy and so yummy!
Jennifer says
Dang it…I might have to try this.
See…a few years ago I did the South Beach Diet and they had a ricotta dessert recipe in their book. I was dying for anything sweet, so I made it. It was the most vile concoction ever, and I can’t look at ricotta with out getting the huzz.
But this recipe looks really good…refreshing actually. Perfect for the summer!
Melynda says
I have a difficult relationship with ricotta, I buy it and forget about it until it is too late. Maybe this will change all that.
imom says
You never cease to amaze me!
Sara says
This looks so delicious! Easy to make and doesn’t require an oven? Sign me up!
Fun House Jennifer says
What a neat idea and a cool presentation!
dawn says
I’ve just changed my dessert recipe for tonight. Why spend the day baking when I could have this.
Marjie says
I love when recipes call for powdered this or instant that. It’s just so much easier than cooking up this and brewing up that. I like the looks of this.
dawn says
so this is one to save for those days when it’s 1000 degrees outside and the stove must stay off.
I love the creativity in this one.
Kayola says
Right now any thing cool sounds good…it looks so yummy for the tummy…you are amazing!
Auds at Barking Mad says
Alas, if I only had a counter top, or a sink…or heck, a kitchen, at this point in time, I could make this. Another one for my “to be made” list once this stupid remodel is complete! Oiy! Looks gorgeous!
Memoria says
Do you need a biscotto or biscotti? I see one biscotto, but you wrote 1 biscotti ???, so I’m confused. I assume you need only one biscotto. Thanks for this recipe!
Lynda says
This looks so cool and yummy, perfect for hot summer days! I love coffee, but don’t usually have it on steamy days, so this will be perfect!
April in CT says
Yay!! I JUST found the instant espresso powder you had mentioned before in my grocery store! I grabbed the only jar on the shelf and hid it in fear that someone would come take it from me. LOL Now all I need to find are vanilla beans and I’m all over this one. Looks delicious!
Elizabeth says
It looks amazing! Yummy….
Pam says
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I love this recipe – can’t wait to try it.
Ciaochowlinda says
Props to you for posting this. I don’t have any of Giada’s cookbooks so I wouldn’t have known about it if not for your post with those tantalizing photos.
The Duo Dishes says
Another low fat summertime treat. This is just right really. All the flavor without too much guilt. 🙂
Mary says
How good does this look! Save one for me.
annbb/TSannie says
That looks delicious!
Bob says
Oh wow, that sounds wicked good! Makes me wish I had enough space to do some entertaining. 😉
unconfidentialcook says
This does look really good, and I’m glad you posted it as I don’t watch Giada much anymore. I do like her food (though everything is so “small”) and I do think she’s pretty and nice and good at what she does…but as my 11-year-old says: TMC….
Biz says
Yum, definitely insulin worthy!
Happy Monday! 😀
grace says
what a sensational idea! as if i needed any convincing to ever join you and your family for dinner, this is simply the icing on the cake. 🙂
alexandra's kitchen says
that giada is something else! This looks so yummy and elegant. I am dying to make that vin santo cake too. holy yum!
Blond Duck says
It looks so decadant!
Bridgett says
I love making this recipe for a simple and delicious dessert. It is always a hit. Gorgeous photos!
elra says
Amazing, sounds absolutely delicious. This is why I also like Giada’s recipe. She is good, her recipe is always simple and delicious.
Cheers,
elra
Culinary Wannabe says
How pretty and elegant! I’m sure this will be a hit all summer long.
lo says
Well, well, well. This looks like a fine idea for a summer treat.
Might even beat out iced coffee at our house 🙂
pam says
It’s like cheesecake in a cup, only better!
Daily Spud says
Gosh – did you say ricotta cappuccino? It sounds unbelievably fine, I must have me some of that…
Dallas from Bitchin' Lifestyle says
Anything topped with brown sugar immediately has my attention. Mmm, ricotta in sweet dishes is always divine, and this looks to be no exception. great presentation and photos!
Claudia says
I know this is in my future. It’s certainly not too hot to cook in MN – but “no-cook” always works and love all the ingredients. Sort of a cannoli-cappuccino.
giz says
Although I didn’t have a plan to come over, I may just have to rethink my strategy. I mean we could sit and watch the fence being built and share a dessert – and I already know I’m not allowed to wash dishes – what could be better?
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
The universe is definitely conspiring… I seldom watch her show, but the last time I did, she was making this dessert. And now here you are, with the recipe. I have no choice. I must make this immediately!
Liz C. says
Oh Wow! This really does sound easy & would be something that I could definitely do when having a dinner party! Excellent recipe my friend. I heart you & your recipes…
Haley says
This looks unreal.
Hilary says
Hi Cathy .. absolutely delicious .. looks wonderful .. I’ll try it sometime ..when the English weather warms up!
Go well – chill out until Marcy rings?!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
gfe-gluten free easily says
That looks out of this world! I’m trying to reach through the screen!! But, it’s not working … 🙁
Shirley
Jeff says
Perfect I can enjoy my coffee during a hot summer day and feel great about it. Yeah for thinking of way to keep me caffeinated!!
Sounds amazing and can’t wait to try.
Ginna says
Looks yummy and so easy to make. I have to find out where I can buy some vanilla pods!
Paula says
Oh lordy, lordy, lordy! I just know that I would be sampling this AS I was making it! It looks and sounds dreamy!
Danielle says
What time should I be there?
Jude says
Nice to know that this can be made ahead of time. Will keep this in mind for the next get together.
M Ramos says
I have been looking for some cool dessert ideas, then I have to test this out to make sure it’s not too sweet for me 🙂