This light and airy whipped vanilla bean ricotta cream with strawberries and balsamic reduction is the perfect healthy and stunning dessert.
It is a great summer treat or the perfect, sophisticated Valentine’s Day dessert.
You can even swap the balsamic reduction for something a bit more decadent for that special date night like melted chocolate drizzle or a rich homemade hot fudge sauce.
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What is ricotta cream
Ricotta cream is a whipped, sweetened ricotta cheese. It is light, airy, fluffy, and heavenly.
Ricotta cream is THE perfect choice when you need a light but decadent dessert.
You can also use homemade whipped cottage cheese instead of ricotta cheese for a little extra protein.
This summer we grew our own strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries so I’m always looking for new and inventive ways to use them.
I have many tried and true berry recipes but I’m always on the lookout for new favorites. These are just a few of my favorite berry recipes:
- Light and Fluffy Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread
- Blueberry Yogurt Cake
- Healthy Buttermilk Pancakes With Homemade Blueberry Syrup
This post was created in partnership with FITNCLEAN Vanilla. All opinions are my own and I only endorse products that I know and love.
[Missouri Girl Home is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com].
The layers
There are 3 compenents to this dessert:
- Ricotta cream
- Macerated strawberries
- Balsamic reduction sauce
Vanilla bean ricotta cream
The whipped ricotta cream has a double shot of vanilla from both the vanilla beans and vanilla extract. I used homemade vanilla extract made with FITNCLEAN Vanilla beans (affiliate links to follow). I LOVED them! Not only due the smell amazing but they are also organic so they are free of chemicals, pesticides, or fungicides. If you have never smelled a fresh vanilla bean, you are seriously missing out.
Or you buy wholesale at fitncleanvanilla.com.
Macerated strawberries
Macerated strawberries are berries that have sugar added to them which draws out the natural juices. This makes a yummy berry flavored syrup.
Balsamic reduction reduction dessert sauce
A balsamic reduction a naturally sweet, thick, and tangy sauce made by simmering balsamic vinegar until a majority of the moisture evaporates.
Balsamic vinegar for dessert? Sounds crazy, right? Well, let me tell you this tangy but sweet sauce is the perfect compliment to the macerated strawberries and ricotta cream.
It is so easy and is ready in minutes.
The key to balsamic reduction is to simmer on low and don’t walk away! It is like making caramel. It will burn the second you take your eyes off of it! However, if you don’t want to tackle this just yet you can purchase balsamic reduction at select local grocers or online.
I love balsamic reductions and have used it in several recipes including these Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppadew Peppers.
Frequently asked questions
The key to making a balsamic reduction sauce is to heat it low and slow and use a heavy bottomed sauce pan.
When you reduce a sauce, most of the liquid is evaporated out. To get the balsamic reduction to the desired thick consistency you will loose 60 to 75% of the liquid so 1 cup of balsamic vinegar will make about ⅓ to ¼ cup of balsamic reduction, depending on the length of time it simmers and desired thickness.
When berries are macerated, sugar is added which draws out the natural fruit juices resulted in a deliciously sweet berry syrup. Berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are perfect to macerate as they have soft skins and the juices can easily be released.
The perfect light and healthy dessert for Valentine’s Day is this delicious, decadent, and unique Vanilla Bean Ricotta Cream With Macerated Strawberries and Balsamic Reduction.
Whipped Vanilla Bean Ricotta Cream With Macerated Strawberries and Balsamic Reduction
Ingredients
Macerated Strawberries
- 2 cups strawberries sliced
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
Ricotta Cream
- 2 cups light ricotta Cheese
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice fresh
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean seeds I recommend Madagascar or Tahitian.
- 1 tablespoon honey
Balsamic Reduction
- ¾ cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
Make the Macerated Strawberries:
- Combine the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Stir to combine. Set aside.
Make the Ricotta Cream
- Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla extract, vanilla bean seeds, and honey to a small food processor, bullet blender, or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Make the balsamic reduction
- Add the balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan.
- Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half (or more) and becomes thick and syrupy. Watch carefully as it burns easily.
Assemble
- Spread ½ cup ricotta cream on a small plate or in a small serving dish.
- Top with strawberries and then drizzle with the balsamic reduction sauce.
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