🎉 Nonna Pia Celebrates Her 86th Birthday! 👵🎂🇮🇹
Today we celebrate 86 beautiful years of Nonna Pia — the heart of our family, the keeper of traditions, and the soul behind every delicious meal. Surrounded by generations of children, grandchildren, and friends, Nonna marked her special day just the way she loves: with laughter, home-cooked food, old Italian songs, and a table full of love.
Nonna’s birthdays have never been about grandeur — they’re about togetherness. This year, we surprised her with her favorite dessert: a Homemade Italian Ricotta Cheesecake, just like she used to bake for others. Creamy, delicate, and not too sweet, it’s the perfect ending to a meal — and a beautiful way to honor a woman whose life has been full of generosity, strength, and flavor.
Grazie, Nonna, for your stories, your recipes, your hugs, and your unmatched meatballs. You are our treasure. 💛
🎂 Nonna Pia’s Italian Ricotta Cheesecake (Birthday Favorite)
🧀 Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ricotta cheese (well-drained)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Optional: powdered sugar, fresh berries for topping
🥣 Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a large bowl, beat ricotta until smooth.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well.
- Mix in sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and flour until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth the top.
- Bake 50–60 minutes or until lightly golden and center is set (a slight jiggle is okay).
- Cool completely, then chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Dust with powdered sugar and top with berries if desired.
