This baked chocolate ricotta cheesecake is low in fat and sugar, light and fluffy and super easy to make. It’s deliciously moist and creamy, full of flavour and great for easy entertaining.
Even the most indulgent desserts can be made healthier and this chocolate ricotta cake is a good example. The recipe contains a mixture of naturally low in fat ricotta cheese and a bit of tangy cream cheese to balance out the mellow sweetness of the ricotta. The recipe uses only 7 ingredients so it’s very simple and super easy to throw together.
What type of ricotta cheese to use in chocolate ricotta cheesecake
I used full fat (approx. 13% fat per 100 g of product) soft ricotta cheese in this chocolate cake recipe. I do not recommend using reduced fat ricotta as this may produce a less creamy cheesecake.
When you open your ricotta there might be a little water inside. Place the ricotta in a strainer for a few minutes to remove excess moisture.
What chocolate to use in ricotta cheesecake
I recommend using good quality dark chocolate with 70-75% cocoa solids. You’ll only need 130 g of the chocolate so it’s important it has a high cocoa content. Otherwise your cheesecake won’t taste chocolatey enough. Using good quality dark chocolate will produce a perfectly balanced chocolate flavour – not too ‘dark’. Just right.
I also used a bit of cacao powder in the recipe. It’s perfectly fine to use cacao instead, I simply tend to use cacao as it’s a little healthier. (You might also like this collection of 27 everyday healthy cacao recipes).
How to melt the chocolate
This is quick and easy to do but you must ensure you are using a clean, dry bowl and spatula and no moisture gets inside the bowl as the chocolate is melting.
Break up the chocolate into same sized pieces and place in a heat proof glass bowl. Place over a pan of gently simmering shallow water ensuring the water does not touch the bowl. Stir the chocolate as it’s melting and remove the bowl from the pan when the chocolate is almost melted completely. It will finish melting away from the heat.
As you prepare the cheesecake batter the chocolate will have had time to cool. Add it into the batter and combine using an electric mixer. Then fold in the beaten egg whites and bake the cheesecake (see Instructions for more detail).
Equipment you'll need
- Kitchen scale
- Large bowl, small bowl, spoon and spatula
- Saucepan and glass bowl for melting the chocolate
- Electric mixer
- 23 cm (9 inch) spring-form pan and parchment paper
- A little butter and flour for greasing and coating the pan
How to make baked chocolate cheesecake: step-by-step
1.Preheat the oven to 180 C. Weigh your ingredients and melt the chocolate over a pot of gently simmering water, stirring occasionally. Remove the bowl from the pot when almost all the chocolate has melted (it will finish melting as you stir). Set aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
2. In a large bowl combine the ricotta with cream cheese and half of the sugar. Beat on low for a minute until smooth.
3. Then gradually add the flour, cocoa and egg yolks and beat until just combined.
4. Pour in the melted chocolate (make sure it’s cooled) and continue beating until combined.
5. In a separate bowl beat the egg whites until soft peaks start forming. Then gradually add the remaining sugar beating all the time until the mixture becomes thick and glossy.
6. Add the egg whites mixture into the cheesecake batter (in 4 goes) folding in gently using a spatula.
7. Pour the cheesecake batter into the tin, smooth out the top and bake in the centre of the oven for 1 hour. After 40 minutes cover the cheesecake loosely with a sheet of baking paper or foil to prevent it browning too quickly and cracking.
8. Turn off the oven and remove the foil covering the cheesecake. Leave the oven door slightly open (6-7 inches) for 15 minutes then open a little more and continue cooling the cheesecake until it can be handled without oven gloves. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and set aside to cool completely then remove the ring and decorate with the chocolate shavings.
How to prepare the spring-form pan for baked chocolate cheesecake
You may have your favourite way of doing this but I’ll share mine just in case you haven’t used a spring-form pan before.
Start by placing a sheet of baking paper over the bottom of the pan (the sheet can be square as it will get trimmed later, but ensure it’s larger than the bottom of the pan). You can lightly grease the pan before placing the paper on top to make sure it stays in place.
Put the pan ring on and close the latch to secure it. Trim the paper all the way around so it doesn’t stick out too much. Lightly grease the inside of the ring (I used a knob of butter but you could use oil instead) and dust with a little flour (approx. 1 tsp). Then spread the flour evenly by turning and shaking the pan. Turn the pan upside down to remove any excess flour.
How to safely remove the cake from the pan
Run a spatula all the way around the cake to ensure it doesn’t stick to the pan ring. Open the latch and remove the ring.
Once the cake has cooled completely carefully place a plate over it and turn it upside down. Slowly remove the bottom of the pan together with the paper and place another plate over the cake. Turn over again and remove the first plate you had placed on the cake.
Top tips
- When melting the chocolate remove it from the saucepan when it's almost melted. It will melt completely as you stir it.
- Wait for the melted chocolate to cool (this will only take a few minutes) before adding into the cheesecake batter.
- Scatter the chocolate shavings over the cake once it's cooled completely.
- Refrigerate, covered, for up to 3 days.
- Best served at room temperature.
You might also like
- Traditional Baked Polish Cheesecake (Sernik)
- Healthy Coffee Cheesecake (Blender Recipe)
- Black Forest Cheesecake Tart
- Kahlua Cheesecake Pots (No Bake)
- Mini Chocolate Cheesecake Pots (Gluten Free)
Keep in touch!
If you make this healthy cheesecake recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Chocolate Ricotta Cheesecake (Healthy, Baked)
Ingredients
- 450 grams (1 lb) soft ricotta cheese approx. 2 cups, room temperature, see *Notes
- 150 grams (5.29 oz) full fat cream cheese approx. ⅔ cup, I used Philadelphia, room temperature
- 130 grams (4.59 oz) dark chocolate broken into similar size pieces, plus more for decorating
- 30 grams (1.06 oz) cocoa/cacao powder approx. 3⅔ tbsp
- 40 grams (1.41 oz) plain/all-purpose flour approx. 4 tbsp (plus 1 tsp for coating the pan)
- 5 large eggs separated, room temperture
- 150 grams (5.29 oz) caster/superfine sugar approx. ¾ cup
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 23 cm (9 inches) spring-form pan and line with parchment paper. (I like to line the bottom of the pan and grease the ring and sprinkle with a little flour-see post for more detail). Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 F/ 180 C/170 C fan/ gas mark 4.
- Melt the chocolate by placing it in a heat proof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water (the water must not touch the bowl). Stir as the chocolate is melting. Remove from the heat when the chocolate has melted almost completely (it will continue melting away from the heat). Set aside.
- In a large bowl gently whip the ricotta, cream cheese and half the sugar until smooth. Gradually add the flour, cocoa and egg yolks and beat until smooth. Gradually pour in the melted chocolate (once cooled) and continue beating until just combined.
- In a separate bowl beat the egg whites until soft peaks start forming. Gradually add the remaining sugar and continue beating until glossy, fluffy and thick.
- Add the egg whites mixture (in 4 goes) into the batter gently folding in using a spatula until just combined. Pour the cheesecake batter into the pan, smooth out the top and bake in the centre of the oven for 1 hour. After 35-40 minutes cover loosely with baking paper or foil to prevent the cheesecake browning too quickly and cracking.
- Turn off the oven, remove the foil covering the cake and leave the oven door slightly open (6-7 inches). After 15 minutes open the door a little more. After 30-40 minutes remove the cheesecake from the oven and set aside to cool completely.
- Run a spatula around the cake and remove the ring (see post for tips on how to safely remove the cheesecake from the pan). Decorate with chocolate shavings (I used a vegetable peeler to make the shavings). Serve with whipped cream or fruit compote. Keep refrigerated. Best served at room temperature.
Notes
- *Remove excess moisture from the ricotta before using. You can do this by placing it in a strainer for a few minutes.
- When melting the chocolate remove it from the saucepan when it's almost melted. It will melt completely as you stir it.
- Wait for the melted chocolate to cool (this will only take a few minutes) before adding into the cheesecake batter.
- Cool the cake gently in the oven first to minimise cracking.
- Scatter the chocolate shavings over the cake once it's cooled completely.
- Refrigerate, covered, for up to 3 days.
- Best served at room temperature.
- See the post for tips on preparing the spring-form pan and safely removing the cheesecake from the pan.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
Kate
I believe I may have over-baked the cake. It seemed almost uncooked in the middle when I took it out of the oven after 1 hour so I left it in for additional 5 minutes. At the ends, it came out dry and cracked - may have been the user error.
One other comment: I don’t like sweet cakes but this one felt almost “under sweetened”. I covered the cake with dark chocolate ganache that didn’t any additional sweetness so it was a bit tasteless.
Monika
Hi Kate, thank you for your feedback. I have made a few tweaks to the recipe which you might find helpful.
Margaret Adorno
Hi! Thanks for this wonderful recipe.
I'm wondering if/how you think this recipe could be adapted for a flavor other than chocolate, say lemon or vanilla? I realize that's pretty far from this recipe so no worries if that's too much of a stretch!
Monika
I am afraid I really couldn't answer this without testing these flavours first. Sorry!
Nina
Why are the ingredients in grams.
Monika
Click 'US Customary' under the list of ingredients for ounces.
Nina
Why are the ingredients in grams. Can anyone convert these?
Thomas
Because it actually exists a whole big world outside of the US, For anyone not capable of using Google there is a button labeled "US Customary" to convert everything for you right below the ingredients.
C
Lol... gold, Thomas!
I'm pretty sure the rest of the world (where I am, included) uses grams. Get with the times, USA!
Liuba
Not sure what i have done wrong, maybe you could advise, but followed step by step amd mine all cracked even before i started taking it out of the mould... Will defo try again, but looking for the advice on where i might have misstepped.
I think my whites were too stiff for starters, looked more stiff than in a picture, but other than that, looked same until 30min in the oven :/
Monika
Perhaps try baking it for a few minutes less and cooling completely in the tin. This cheesecake does crack for me a little too but it's different than cheesecakes made with heavy cream and it will never have a smooth, perfect top, it's always going to be uneven, with raised edges, sort of rustic looking. So in addition to being grainier, not as creamy as traditional cheesecake it also has a slightly different look. Sorry if this is not exactly what you expected.
Paul Cesano
The measurements look odd when I use the U.S conversion button under the ingredients
Monika
In what way?
Frances
Could I use 450g ricotta and 250g cream cheese? These are what I got from store.
Also, would this cake go well with a chocolate crumb crust ? If so, could you please recommend a recipe for the crust ? Thanks!
Monika
It might work but as you are adding less ricotta and more cream cheese the cake may not be as light and fluffy. Because I haven't tried these proportions unfortunately I can't say for sure whether the recipe will be a success. As for the crumb crust it might work but again this is something I haven't tested myself so no guarantees. Perhaps try a classic graham cracker and butter cheesecake crust with a little cocoa. Hope the recipe works out for you:)
Becky
Mmmm, delicious recipe, just love cheesecake.
Jenny Walters
Wowsers this looks absolutely incredible. So luxurious and chocolatey. Baking with ricotta is on my to do list. I have never used it in sweet or savoury. This cheesecake would be a wonderful way to start! Thank you so much for bringing it to #BakingCrumbs
Monika
Thank you Jenny, ricotta is a great ingredient in a cheesecake.
Kat (The Baking Explorer)
This looks absolutely divine, I want to reach in a grab a slice!
Monika
Thanks Kat!
Angie | Fiesta Friday
Healthy can't get any more delicious than this! It looks fantastic, Monika. So rich and decadent, YUM!
Monika
Thank you Angie, will be going over to your blog to vote today!
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
WOW! I can't believe how healthy this cake actually is - it looks all kinds of naughty... and very delicious. Wish I could get a spoon into my computer screen right now 😉 Eb x
Monika
Thanks Eb! This cake actually turned out better than I expected, considering how few ingredients it had and how 'skinny' they were.
Life Diet Health
Monika this looks and sounds delicious. I'm just trying to work out the best egg yolk replacer so I can make a vegan version! I was going to make brownies today, but I think I'll try this instead! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday. Hope you had a great weekend.
Monika
Thanks Laurena! I'd love to know how you could make this recipe vegan!
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
I love everything about this cheesecake! The texture looks so wonderfully creamy and decadent and all that chocolate! Looks naughty when in fact it actually isn't, perfect! Thank you so much for sharing your cheesecake with #BakingCrumbs 🙂
Monika
Thank you Jo!
DeeDee
Looks like a winner to me!😊
Monika
Thanks! It was pretty good, I've made 2 since!
Ai | Ai made it for you
This looks so silky and rich! Looks amazing Monika! I pinned it for later❤️
Monika
Thank you!
Balvinder
I love the idea of HEALTHY chocolate cheesecake. looks so so delicious!
Monika
Thank you Balvinder!
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook
Omg!! This looks so rich and decadent! Did you save some for me?😁 Thanks for sharing, Monika. Happy Fiesta Friday!
Monika
Sorry Jhuls, absolutely none left! Happy FF!
Jacqueline
Hi
I made this cheesecake and it was very yummy and light and what i really enjoyed about this cheesecake is that the sugar is perfect not too sweet love this cheesecake.
Monika
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, Jacqueline, and thank you for your feedback:)
DAVID GONZALEZ
Looks absolutely divine! I love the random placement of chocolate squares and shavings!
Monika
Thank you Dave!