Pin it
Flaky puff pastry squares topped with smooth ricotta and chocolate morsels make a tasty bite-sized treat that seems fancy but comes together easily. These dainty treats give you the best of both worlds—crunchy, layered pastry base with a soft cheese topping dotted with melting chocolate. A sprinkle of large sugar crystals adds a touch of sparkle and a nice crunch, turning these homemade goodies into something that looks straight from a fancy bakery.
I came up with this idea when I was stuck with half a tub of ricotta and friends coming over in less than an hour. I threw these together so fast, and they disappeared even quicker! Everyone asked me for my complicated recipe, and they couldn't believe how few ingredients and steps it took. It just goes to show that sometimes the tastiest treats come from simple ideas and what you've got on hand.
Delightful Five-Ingredient Base
- Frozen puff pastry: This ready-made dough gives you those amazing flaky layers; it's smart to always have a box in your freezer for quick desserts
- Ricotta cheese: Adds that soft, lightly sweet filling; grab whole milk ricotta for the creamiest results
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet works great, but you can switch to dark or milk chocolate based on what you like
- Coarse sugar: Using turbinado or demerara sugar gives you that special crunch that regular sugar just can't match
- Egg: Helps make the pastry edges shiny and golden while sticking everything together
The ricotta you pick really makes a difference—try to find fresh, whole milk ricotta without added thickeners for the best texture. Good ricotta has a slightly bumpy feel that works really well against the smooth chocolate and crispy pastry. When I treat myself to fancy Italian ricotta, these simple squares turn into something truly special.
Get Your Dough Ready
Take out a sheet of frozen puff pastry about half an hour before you want to make your squares. Wait until it's bendy but still cool when you touch it, then carefully open it up on a surface with a bit of flour.
Cut Your Dough Pieces
With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the sheet into nine same-sized squares. Put these squares on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper, leaving some room between each one so they can grow while baking.
Pin it
Drop In Your Cheese Mix
Put a spoonful of ricotta right in the middle of each pastry square, and gently spread it into a circle. Make sure to leave about half an inch empty around the edges. This empty space will puff up during baking and make a nice border around your filling.
Top With Sweet Extras
Mix an egg with a tiny bit of water to make egg wash, then brush it on the empty edges of the pastry. Scatter chocolate chips over the ricotta centers, then shake some coarse sugar all over both the filling and the edges.
Cook Until Puffy and Brown
Pop them in a 350°F oven that's already hot for about 15 minutes. You'll know they're done when the pastry has puffed up into layers and turned a nice golden color. Let them cool a little before eating so the filling can firm up.
Now my family asks for these squares whenever we have guests over for breakfast or during holidays. My little girl loves to help spread the ricotta and drop on the chocolate chips. She calls them her "fancy breakfast cookies." They're so simple that even kids can help make them without any tricky steps or messy cleanup.
Ways To Enjoy
These little treats taste best when they're still a bit warm and the chocolate is soft and gooey. They go great with a cup of coffee or tea when you need an afternoon pick-me-up. If you want to make them more fancy, try adding a drizzle of honey and some fresh berries on the side. They also fit in perfectly at brunch tables, giving a sweet option alongside your eggs and bacon.
Try These Twists
Mix things up by adding some orange zest to your ricotta for that classic cannoli taste. Want some crunch? Throw on some chopped pistachios with your chocolate chips. Make a fruity version by putting a small spoonful of jam under the ricotta. In the fall, try mixing cinnamon and nutmeg into your ricotta—this tastes amazing with hot apple cider or cocoa.
Pin it
Storage Advice
These pastries taste best the same day you make them, when the outside is still crispy and the inside is soft. If you need to plan ahead, you can get them ready and keep them in the fridge without baking for up to a day. After baking, any extras will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for about two days. To make them crispy again, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
I've found that the desserts people remember most don't always need fancy ingredients or complicated steps. These little squares have become my go-to quick dessert—what I make when I'm short on time but still want to serve something special. They remind me that good food is often about simple combinations that just taste great together, not following complicated recipes or spending hours in the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is it possible to prep these ahead of time?
- They're best baked fresh, but you can assemble them (cut pastry, fill) and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 hours before baking. Just add egg wash and sugar right before popping them in the oven.
- → What’s a good alternative to ricotta?
- Mascarpone is the next best option. If you’re out of that, softening cream cheese and mixing it with a bit of heavy cream works well too.
- → Can I customize the flavor?
- Totally! Add some grated orange peel, a dash of cinnamon, or swap chocolate chips for dried fruit like cherries. Chopped nuts like pistachios also taste amazing!
- → How should I store any extras?
- Keep leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To warm them up, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to crisp the pastry again.
- → Why does my puff pastry stick to the counter?
- Make sure it’s chilled but not frozen before you start. Lightly dust the counter with flour or work on parchment paper to avoid sticking.