Baked Lemon Ricotta Dip with Blackberries and Honey Recipe
This Baked Lemon Ricotta Dip with Blackberries and Honey is a luscious and tangy appetizer combining creamy ricotta and goat cheeses with bright lemon and fresh thyme, topped with sweet and juicy baked blackberries. Finished with a drizzle of honey and served with toasted bread or crackers, it offers a perfect balance of savory, fruity, and sweet flavors. Ideal for entertaining or a delightful snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
- 4 ounces fresh goat cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
Topping
- 6 ounces blackberries
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the dip.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spritz a 9-inch oval or similar shallow baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Ensure the dish has at least a 3-cup volume.
- Blend Cheese Mixture: In a food processor, combine ricotta cheese, softened goat cheese, large egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped thyme, salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and minced garlic. Blend for about 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Add Blackberries and Bake: Scatter the blackberries evenly on top of the cheese mixture. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the blackberries have released their juices and become saucy.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven and drizzle with honey. Garnish with additional fresh thyme and a sprinkle of coarse salt. Serve warm alongside toasted bread or crackers for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh thyme with rosemary or basil for a different herbal note.
- Use fresh blackberries for best results, but frozen berries can be used if thawed and drained slightly.
- If you don’t have a food processor, whisk the cheeses, egg, and seasonings thoroughly until smooth.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor; leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated.
- Adjust honey drizzle to taste for desired sweetness.
