Description of this recipe: This Lemon Ricotta Bread is a moist, flavorful, and easy-to-make loaf perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a simple snack. The combination of bright lemon zest and creamy ricotta cheese creates a delightful texture and taste that everyone will love.

Why you will love this recipe:

Incredibly Moist: The ricotta cheese adds a level of moisture that keeps this bread from drying out, even after a few days.
Bright and Zesty Flavor: The lemon zest and juice provide a refreshing citrus burst that perfectly complements the rich ricotta.
Simple to Make: This recipe requires minimal effort and uses basic ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry.
Versatile: Enjoy it plain, toasted with butter, or as a base for French toast. It’s also a delicious accompaniment to coffee or tea.
Freezer-Friendly: Make a loaf (or two!) ahead of time and freeze it for later.

Introduction

There’s something magical about the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the kitchen. It evokes feelings of warmth, comfort, and home. This Lemon Ricotta Bread takes that comforting feeling and adds a bright, zesty twist. It’s the perfect recipe for those days when you crave something homemade but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need any special equipment or advanced baking skills to create a truly delicious loaf. The ricotta cheese is the star of the show, imparting a unique moisture and subtle sweetness that elevates this bread above your average quick bread. The lemon zest and juice add a vibrant, tangy flavor that awakens the senses and perfectly balances the richness of the ricotta.

Whether you’re hosting a brunch, looking for a sweet treat to enjoy with your afternoon coffee, or simply want to bake something special for your family, this Lemon Ricotta Bread is sure to be a hit. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to customize to your liking.

Ingredients:

1⅔ cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large egg (room temperature)
1 large egg yolk (room temperature)
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (sunflower, corn, or light olive oil)
¾ cup + 2½ tablespoons ricotta cheese (220 g total)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons milk (2% or whole milk)
Extras: 2-3 tablespoons slivered almonds

Preparation:

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This ensures that the bread will bake evenly and rise properly. While the oven is preheating, prepare your loaf pan. You can either grease and flour an 8-inch or 9-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper. Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it incredibly easy to remove the bread after baking. Simply lift the parchment paper out of the pan, and the bread will come out with it.

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures that these ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the flour. The baking powder is essential for leavening the bread and giving it a light and airy texture. The salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and helps to control the leavening process.

Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients

In a separate mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the egg, egg yolk, sugar, and lemon zest together for approximately 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, which will result in a tender crumb. The lemon zest adds a bright, aromatic flavor to the bread. Then, add the oil, ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and milk to the mixture. Beat until everything is well combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough bread. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make the bread dense and chewy. Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are incorporated.

Step 5: Bake the Bread

Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the top of the batter with the slivered almonds. These add a nice crunch and visual appeal to the bread. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly, you can tent it with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Once the bread is baked, let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling the bread in the pan allows it to firm up slightly, making it easier to slice. Once the bread is completely cool, you can slice and enjoy it!

COOKING Rating:

Easy

Serving Suggestions:

Serve slices of Lemon Ricotta Bread as part of a brunch spread alongside eggs, bacon, and fruit.
Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Toast slices of the bread and spread them with butter or cream cheese.
Use the bread to make French toast or bread pudding.
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a simple dessert.

Tips:

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and ricotta cheese will help the ingredients to blend together more easily and create a smoother batter.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter can result in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
Adjust Baking Time as Needed: Baking times may vary depending on your oven. Keep an eye on the bread and adjust the baking time as needed.
Add More Lemon Zest for a Stronger Lemon Flavor: If you love lemon, add an extra tablespoon of lemon zest to the batter for a more intense lemon flavor.
Substitute with other Nuts: You can substitute slivered almonds with any other nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or pistachios.

Prep Time:

20 minutes

Cook Time:

55 minutes

Total Time:

1 hour 15 minutes

Nutritional Information:

Calories: 1438 kcal
Protein: 36 g
Sodium: 842 mg

Conclusion

This Lemon Ricotta Bread is a truly special treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Its moist, flavorful, and easy-to-make qualities make it a recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a slice of homemade goodness!

Questions and Answers About This Recipe:

Q1: Can I use low-fat ricotta cheese in this recipe?

A: While you can use low-fat ricotta cheese, the texture of the bread will be slightly different. Full-fat ricotta cheese provides the best moisture and richness. If you opt for low-fat, the bread may be a bit drier. Consider adding an extra tablespoon or two of milk to compensate.

Q2: Can I substitute the vegetable oil with melted butter?

A: Yes, you can substitute the vegetable oil with melted butter. This will add a richer flavor to the bread. Use the same amount of melted butter as the vegetable oil called for in the recipe. Just be sure to let the butter cool slightly before adding it to the wet ingredients to prevent the eggs from cooking.

Q3: How do I know when the bread is done?

A: The best way to check for doneness is to insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If the toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, the bread is done. If the toothpick comes out with wet batter, continue baking the bread for a few more minutes and check again. Also, the bread should be golden brown on top and the edges should be slightly pulling away from the sides of the pan.

Q4: Can I add a glaze to this bread?

A: Absolutely! A simple lemon glaze would complement the flavors of this bread perfectly. To make a glaze, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread. You can also add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the glaze for extra flavor.

Q5: How long does this bread last, and how should I store it?

A: This bread will stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply place the frozen bread in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for a few hours. You can also slice the bread before freezing and thaw individual slices as needed.

Easy Lemon Ricotta Bread

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1 15

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Calories 1438 kcal

Ingredients

1⅔ cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large egg room temperature
1 large egg yolk room temperature
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons vegetable oil sunflower, corn, or light olive oil
¾ cup + 2½ tablespoons ricotta cheese 220 g total
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons milk 2% or whole milk
Extras: 2-3 tablespoons slivered almonds

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This ensures that the bread will bake evenly and rise properly. While the oven is preheating, prepare your loaf pan. You can either grease and flour an 8-inch or 9-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper. Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it incredibly easy to remove the bread after baking. Simply lift the parchment paper out of the pan, and the bread will come out with it.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures that these ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the flour. The baking powder is essential for leavening the bread and giving it a light and airy texture. The salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and helps to control the leavening process.
Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients
In a separate mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the egg, egg yolk, sugar, and lemon zest together for approximately 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the batter, which will result in a tender crumb. The lemon zest adds a bright, aromatic flavor to the bread. Then, add the oil, ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and milk to the mixture. Beat until everything is well combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can result in a tough bread. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make the bread dense and chewy. Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Step 5: Bake the Bread
Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the top of the batter with the slivered almonds. These add a nice crunch and visual appeal to the bread. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. If the top of the bread starts to brown too quickly, you can tent it with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Once the bread is baked, let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling the bread in the pan allows it to firm up slightly, making it easier to slice. Once the bread is completely cool, you can slice and enjoy it!