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Fresh strawberries don’t need much to shine, but a splash of Marsala wine and a spoonful of lightly sweetened ricotta and mascarpone cream take them to another level.
This simple Italian-inspired dessert comes together in minutes and feels like something you’d order at a tucked-away little place that only locals know about. No baking, no fuss. Just ripe fruit and rich cream.
If you like this combo, don’t miss our Strawberries with Zabaglione, another classic that plays just as nicely with Marsala.
About This Recipe for Strawberries with Whipped Ricotta
Flavor-packed soak: A quick splash of Marsala (or orange liqueur) draws out the strawberry juices and adds rich, grown-up depth without overshadowing the fruit.
Creamy, dreamy contrast: Ricotta and mascarpone (or cream cheese) whip into a smooth, slightly tangy cloud that balances the sweet fruit beautifully.
No cooking, no stress: No oven, no stovetop. Just stir, chill, and serve. Ideal for warm nights or when you want dessert without breaking a sweat.
Flexible and fuss-free: Out of mascarpone? Use cream cheese. No Marsala? Try Grand Marnier. This recipe is easygoing and still feels a little fancy.
Fresh ricotta plays really well with fruit, whether it’s juicy berries or something warm and caramelized. If you’re into that combo, check out our Baked Pears with Ricotta.
Recipe Tips
Use ripe strawberries: This one’s a no-brainer. Bland berries = bland dessert. Look for berries that smell like summer.
Don’t skip the sit time: Letting the strawberries rest in the Marsala draws out their juices and softens them just enough.
Chill the cream: The ricotta-mascarpone mixture sets up beautifully when it’s cold, so give it at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
Layer if you want: For a fancier presentation, layer the strawberries and cream in clear glasses or jars. It looks impressive with almost zero effort.
Add texture if you want: A sprinkle of chopped nuts or a dusting of shaved chocolate adds a nice crunch and makes it feel a little extra.
Serve it soon-ish: This dessert is best served shortly after assembling, while the berries are juicy and the cream is cool. You can prep the components ahead, but wait to plate until you’re ready to eat.
I served my desserts in coupe glasses, the wide, shallow kind with a vintage vibe. But any single serve container will work.
Got leftover ricotta? Use it up in our Orange Ricotta Pancake.
Marsala Strawberries
Strawberries with Marsala and Cream is the kind of dessert that feels fancy but doesn’t ask much of you. Sweet, creamy, and quietly sophisticated. It delivers big flavor with barely any effort. Definitely one to keep in your back pocket.
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Strawberries with Marsala and Ricotta Cream
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Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and quartered
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, or honey
- 4 tablespoons sweet Marsala , or orange liqueur
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese, or cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 fresh strawberries, for garnish or grated semi-sweet chocolate
Instructions
- Mix the strawberries, sugar and Marsala or orange liqueur in a medium bowl and let sit for 30minutes.
- Combine the ricotta, mascarpone or cream cheese, honey and vanilla in another bowl, using an electric mixer or sturdy spoon to mix well. This mixture can be prepared early in the day and refrigerated until 30 minutes before serving.
- Divide the strawberries and their juices into four individual dishes. Spoon the ricotta cheese mixture on the top of the berries. Sprinkle with the grated chocolate or garnish with a whole strawberry.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!This recipe was first published on April 25, 2014. We updated the photos but left one of the original photos below.
So pretty! And it sound delicious! I’m pretty much obsessed with those bowls. An excellent choice to showcase this recipe. 🙂
Thank you, Ashley, it is delicious. Somehow my mixed berries and yogurt tasted so much better this morning when I served them in these bowls. 🙂
I enjoyed hearing about this recipe! I always do like to dip my berries in something sweet. 🙂 Thanks!
This was an easy dessert, Cora. And, it was very good too. 🙂
What a lovely light and refreshing dessert! Summertime the best desserts are the fresh fruit desserts with a light dollop of sweetens cream or cheese.
Thank you for visiting our site. This is easy to prepare and a nice light finish to dinner. The sweet, creamy top-hat gives it some “Wow”….