I love a cream cheese frosting and if I were to be given the choice between that and a buttercream, I’d go cream cheese every time… no offense to buttercream at all. I just prefer the texture of a creamy frosting.
This particular frosting is chocolate (mmmmm!) and not only does it have cream cheese in it, but it also has ricotta, which I adore. The textures of ricotta and cream cheese both add something very special to this frosting and while it can be made with all ricotta or all cream cheese, the combination of both make for a truly fabulous chocolate frosting.
Let’s get started…
Begin by beating a cup of full fat ricotta, 4 ounces of cream cheese (both softened to room temperature) and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until well combined in a large bowl. I like to do this with an electric hand mixer, but a strong arm and a stiff whisk will work here too.
Add a pinch of salt, 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and about a cup of sifted confectioners sugar and mix until everything started coming together.
Continue adding confectioners sugar until you reach the texture and sweetness level that you prefer.
Note: If you either added too much confectioners sugar or simply want things to be creamier, add a tablespoon or 2 of heavy cream. This frosting is so flexible, so feel free to play with it a little bit! Add some confectioners sugar, add some heavy cream and mix until you love what you see!
The only thing left to do is to add this fabulous frosting to your favorite chocolate cake!
May I suggest my devils food cake, this chocolate stout cake or my favorite chocolate olive oil cake.
However you decide to use this frosting, I am quite positive that you are going to absolutely love it!
Chocolate Ricotta Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup of full fat ricotta, room temperature
- 4 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- a pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup of natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3-4 cups of confectioners sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
- Use an electric hand mixer to blend a cup of ricotta with 4 ounces of cream cheese and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract until fully combined
- Gradually add confectioners sugar mixing between each addition until you develop the consistency and sweetness level that you prefer
- Add a tablespoon of heavy cream to loosen the consistency, if desired
- Use right away or chill in an airtight container until ready to use
