Blissfully Healthy Lemon Ricotta Dessert is perfect for Spring! Protein Lemon Ricotta Trifle is Low sugar, low fat and high protein.
Jump to RecipeI’d been wanting to try a lemon ricotta dessert for the longest time, and when I discovered that low fat or part skim ricotta cheese exists, I had to give this a try. All credit goes to my Protein Cannoli Cups recipe though since that’s how I found out about this ricotta.
As far as the lemon goes, I know most people do a lemon curd and such, but making a pudding with lemon flavor instant pudding mix was just too easy. And I’m sure it would be well appreciated too, haha.
Ingredients for Healthy Lemon Ricotta Dessert
This healthy, high protein Lemon Ricotta Dessert Trifle is made with a high protein lemon pudding and high protein ricotta cream too. Both low fat and sugar as well!
The Lemon Pudding Layer
- Non-fat Greek Yogurt
- Vanilla Protein Powder; This is the source of sweetness in the lemon protein pudding. No added sugar in this recipe.I used Quest Vanilla here since it’s whey-casein and blends well with the yogurt.
- Lemon flavored Instant Pudding Mix: Here’s a sugar free and fat free one from Jello
- A bit of Unsweetened Almond Milk
The Protein Ricotta Layer
- Part Skim Ricotta Cheese for a low fat and low calorie ricotta mix
- Non-fat Greek Yogurt to add extra protein!
- Vanilla Protein Powder – this makes for a sugar free mix since it serves as the sweetener in place of sugar.
I used the vanilla protein powder from Quest again.
How to make Lemon Ricotta Trifle with Protein Powder
This Lemon Ricota trifle made with protein powder is rich and tasty but actually very easy to make! Here’s what it takes:
- Make the ricotta filling:
Beat ricotta cheese well until smooth, light and fluffy
Add in Greek yogurt and beat again.
Add in vanilla protein powder and beat again (scrape down the sides as needed).
- Make the protein lemon pudding:
In a bowl combine yogurt, protein powder, lemon flavor instant pudding, and milk until smooth.
Add the milk a little at a time so the lemon protein pudding doesn’t get too runny.
- Assemble:
Assemble a jar with crushed graham cracker for base and alternate layers: lemon pudding, ricotta layer.
Top with more crushed Grahams
How to store Protein Lemon Ricotta Trifle?
This protein lemon ricotta trifle has to be stored in the fridge; Place in airtight container or cover jar with plastic wrap. It keeps for 3-4 days.
Protein powder lemon ricotta pudding will keep out at room temperature for only a few hours.
Alternatives for Healthy Lemon Ricotta Pudding Recipe
This healthy recipe for a lemon ricotta pudding uses greek yogurt and sugar free instant pudding mix as well as protein powder. It really turns out perfect this way, but here’s some options to try.
I haven’t testing them all, so I can’t say how the recipe might turn out.
- Part Skim Ricotta Cheese: Regular ricotta cheese
- Non-fat Greek Yogurt: 2% fat or other low fat Greek yogurt, or even sour cream or whipped cottage cheese
- Whey-casein Protein Powder: Use whey protein, but also use less yogurt or milk.
- Sugar-free, Fat-free Jello Instant Pudding: Regular lemon flavored instant pudding mix
- Graham Cracker: Any other sweet cracker
More Healthy No Bake Layered Protein Desserts
- Chocolate Raspberry Protein Trifle
- Valentine’s Day Protein Dessert
- Protein Pumpkin Protein Cheesecake Jar for One
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Protein Trifle
- Apple Pie Protein Jar
- Protein Dirt Pudding
Some High Protein Lemon Desserts for Spring:
- Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Scones
- Strawberry Lemon Protein Cupcakes
- Lemon Blueberry Protein Sweet Rolls
- Lemon Cranberry Protein Scones
Healthy Lemon Ricotta Dessert – A High Protein Good!
Ingredients
Ricotta Layer:
- ¼ cup Part Skim Ricotta Cheese, 56g
- 2 Tbsp Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt, 28g
- 1½ Tbsp Vanilla Protein Powder, Whey-casein, 8g
Lemon Pudding:
- ½ cup Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt, 112g
- 2 Tbsp Vanilla Protein Powder, Whey-Casein, 11g
- 1½ Tbsp Lemon flavor Instant Pudding Mix, 12g, Sugar free recommended
- 2 Tbsp Unsweetened Almond Milk, 30ml
Base:
- ½ piece Honey Graham Cracker, 8g
Instructions
- Place ricotta in a bowl and whisk with a wire whisk or hand mixer (or use a small food processor) until light and airy; About 30-45 seconds.Add Greek yogurt and beat again.Add protein powder and beat again.
- In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, protein powder, lemon flavor instant pudding, and milk until smooth.Add milk a little at a time until pudding consistency is reached.
- Crush the graham cracker.
- Assemble in a jar with layers:Crushed graham cracker, lemon pudding, ricotta mix, lemon pudding, ricotta mix.
- Chill in the fridge about 30 minutes.
Notes
- See post for alternate ingredients, tips and storage options.
- Nutrition details are calculated using products recommended below.
- Quest Nutrition Vanilla Whey-Casein Protein Powder
- Jello Sugar Free Lemon Pudding Mix
- Yield: 1 jar | Serving size: 1
- Calories: 281 cal
- Fat: 5.3g | Saturated fat: 2.5g
- Carbohydrates: 25.4g | Fiber: 1.4g | Sugar: 10.6g
- Protein: 35.1g
I like to put mine in the freezer while I eat and then have it for dessert… Just amazing 💖
Ooh freezing it sounds like a plan! I have to try it next time
This refreshing dessert was so easy to make, delicious and saisfied both a sweet craving and a way to add more protein. Thanks Haylee!
Haha meeting those protein goals is a must 🙂
This dessert was delicious – very easy to make and refreshing, while at the same time helping get my protein up for the day. Thank you!
Hi Nancy, so glad you gave it a try and liked it!