Easter Pie Recipe

Easter Pie is a specialty in many Italian homes, so mothers make sure their daughters master the recipe to ensure that the tradition continues. —Barbara Tierney, Farmington, Connecticut

Yield: 6-8 Servings

Easter Pie

photo by Taste of Home©

Ingredients:

CRUST:

  • 1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten

FILLING:

  • 1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel
  • Dash salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup diced citron, optional
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Dash ground nutmeg
  1. Directions:
    In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder; cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles small crumbs. Add eggs; stir until moistened and mixture forms a ball. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 10-in. circle. Place in a 9-in. pie plate; flute crust. Refrigerate.
  2. For filling, beat the ricotta, sugar and flour in a bowl. Add peels and salt; beat until smooth. In another bowl, beat eggs until thick and lemon-colored, about 5 minutes; slowly fold into ricotta mixture. Gently mix in remaining ingredients. Pour into the crust. Bake at 350° for 55 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutritional Facts
1 serving (1 piece) equals 482 calories, 23 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 196 mg cholesterol, 349 mg sodium, 56 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 14 g protein.

Originally published as Easter Pie in Reminisce March/April 1995, p47

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