Millefeuille of Fresh Figs and Ricotta

An elegant layered dessert featuring crispy phyllo pastry, creamy lemon-scented ricotta, fresh black mission figs, and a balsamic reduction. This sophisticated dish combines sweet and tangy flavors with contrasting textures.

8 servings
37 min

Ingredients

  • 4 sheets phyllo dough
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 teaspoons sugar
  • cups part-skim ricotta
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 lemons lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 16 whole black mission figs
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon pine nuts

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat oven to 325°F.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Brush a large, shallow baking sheet with some butter and lay 1 phyllo sheet on top. (Cover remaining phyllo with a damp cloth.) Brush phyllo with butter and sprinkle on 1 teaspoon sugar. Layer another phyllo sheet on top and press down. Repeat layering until you use all sheets, ending with 1 teaspoon sugar on top. Cut phyllo stack into 32 equal squares. Bake until squares are golden brown and crisp, 15 to 17 minutes.

    17 min

  3. 3.

    Mix ricotta, sugar, lemon zest and a pinch of salt; add lemon juice to taste. Sauce: Bring vinegar and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan; continue to boil until reduced and slightly syrupy, 5 to 7 minutes. Assembly: Place a dab of ricotta mix on a plate. Top with 1 phyllo square, 1 tbsp ricotta and fig slices. Repeat for a total of 4 layers. Sprinkle with black pepper. Drizzle plate with balsamic reduction and scatter pine nuts around. Repeat.

    15 min

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