Description
This delightful recipe features flaky, buttery croissants filled with creamy whipped ricotta cheese and drizzled with rich, homemade burnt honey. The combination offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, enhanced by optional lemon zest and fragrant herbs. Ideal for a quick yet indulgent breakfast or brunch treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Croissants
- 4 large croissants (preferably day-old or slightly stale for the best texture)
Whipped Ricotta
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese (whole milk or part-skim)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp lemon zest (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Burnt Honey
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Optional Garnish
- Fresh thyme or rosemary for garnish (for a savory twist)
Instructions
- Prepare the burnt honey: In a small saucepan, heat the honey over medium heat until it starts to bubble and foam. Stir occasionally and allow it to turn a deep amber color, which takes about 5 minutes. Be careful to avoid burning the honey.
- Incorporate butter into burnt honey: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the unsalted butter until it is fully melted and incorporated. Let the mixture cool slightly.
- Make the whipped ricotta: In a food processor, combine the ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, lemon zest (if using), and a pinch of salt. Pulse until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy in texture.
- Assemble the croissants: Slice each croissant in half lengthwise. Spoon a generous amount of the whipped ricotta onto the bottom half of each croissant.
- Drizzle burnt honey: Pour the cooled burnt honey over the ricotta layer evenly on each croissant, then top with the other half of the croissant.
- Serve: Serve the croissants immediately for a soft texture, or optionally toast them lightly for an extra crispy bite. Garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary if desired.
Notes
- Using day-old or slightly stale croissants improves the texture and prevents them from becoming too soggy.
- Burnt honey should be watched carefully to prevent it from becoming bitter; remove from heat as soon as it reaches a deep amber color.
- Whipped ricotta can be flavored with lemon zest or vanilla for added depth.
- Optional herbs like thyme or rosemary add a savory contrast to the sweet honey.
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute ricotta with a plant-based alternative and use vegan butter.
- Store any leftover whipped ricotta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
