Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie – Pastiera di Grano

Last Updated on November 16, 2023 by Ellen Christian

You will love this Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie! Pastiera di grano is an Italian dessert served at Easter. Try this gluten free ricotta pie.

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You will love this Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie! Pastiera di grano is an Italian dessert served at Easter. Try this gluten free ricotta pie.

 

Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie  

Finding gluten free Easter desserts everyone enjoys is a bit of a challenge. Most of the desserts I see are for cookies, cupcakes, and cakes which just don’t taste like their non-gluten-free counterparts. 

If you want to try something different, why not learn how to make cannolis. Or, learn how to make this Easter Bread Wreath Recipe.

I also wanted a dessert that didn’t have food coloring which left out most of the pink, yellow, green, and blue colored desserts I’ve seen lately. This Gluten-Free Italian Easter Pie has no food coloring and is made from scratch using healthy ingredients.

I’m part of a group of bloggers that remakes a pin that they find on Pinterest and turns it into something of their own. The original recipe I found was not GF and that wouldn’t have worked for our family.

With a few simple adjustments, I turned this into a gluten free ricotta pie that everyone can enjoy.

Tools / equipment needed

  • Pie plate
  • Whisk
  • Sifter

oranges growing on a tree

What is an Italian Easter pie?

An Italian Easter Pie or Pastiera is actually more similar to a cake than a pie and originates from the Naples area of Italy. History says that it was probably a nun who created the modern-day Pastiera di Grano.

She wanted the cake which was to be a symbol of the resurrection to have the perfume of the orange flowers that grew on nearby orange trees in the convent’s gardens. She mixed wheat (Grano), ricotta cheese, and eggs (which are the symbol of new life) and water that had the fragrance of the orange flowers. And, she also added candied citron and spices.

What’s the tradition behind this dessert?

Traditionally, the Italian Easter Pie should be cooked several days in advance of Easter – generally on Good Friday – so that the flavors have a chance to meld. This version doesn’t call for making it that far ahead but you certainly can if you want to.

Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie - Pastiera di Grano #PinterestRemakes

How do you make Italian Easter pie?

This is a fairly simple recipe but your guests will think you put so much time into making it. It has a light, delicate amount of sweetness that appeals to most adults.

If your kids are used to a super sweet dessert, they may not be as impressed. They may enjoy this Angel Lush.

You will love this Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie! Pastiera di grano is an Italian dessert served at Easter. Try this gluten free ricotta pie.

How do you serve Italian Easter pie?

This traditional gluten free ricotta pie is served cold dusted with confectioners sugar. You can serve a few slices of oranges with this dessert if you like.

But, traditionally, you serve it dusted with sugar.

Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie - Pastiera di Grano

How can I store a gluten free ricotta pie?

So, if you have leftovers, cover the top tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for three to five days. Sadly, this cannot be frozen.

So, make sure you eat it all before it goes bad.

Here are a few more Easter ideas you may enjoy. Why not try my three-cheese macaroni and cheese recipe for a side dish.

Or, you may also like Healthier Desserts Chocolate Coconut Bars. It’s one of my father’s favorite treats.

Yield: 8

Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie

Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie - Pastiera di Grano #PinterestRemakes

You will love this Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie! Pastiera di grano is an Italian dessert served at Easter. Try this gluten free ricotta pie.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 gluten free pie crust
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp gluten free flour blend
  • 1 tbsp grated orange zest
  • 1 tsp orange extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
  • powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
  2. In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, sugar, flour, orange zest and orange extract.
  3. In a different bowl, whisk the eggs for 5 minutes.
  4. Fold eggs into cheese mixture.
  5. Pour the filling into the pie crust. Sprinkle on the chocolate chips.
  6. Bake for 50 minutes. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR.
  7. When the timer goes off, turn off the oven and open the oven door a crack. Allow it to cool completely before you remove it from the oven.
  8. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 404Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 180mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 1gSugar: 44gProtein: 11g

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this, tag me on Instagram so I can see @ellenblogs

29 thoughts on “Gluten Free Italian Easter Pie – Pastiera di Grano”

  1. Ellen, This is a beautiful Easter Pie that I would love to try.  Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great week. Come Back Soon! Miz Helen
    Reply
  2. Happy Wednesday and thank you for sharing...this looks so good! I hope you have a great rest of the week and Happy Easter!  And please come share and link up with me now at http://www.wrightsimply.com/2015/03/wordless-wednesday-linky-plus-easter-fun.html xx Ashleigh @simplyWright 
    Reply
  3. My hubby is from the north of Italy so the cuisine is some what different in the north compared to Naples. I need to ask him if he has ever had this type of pie before I would love to make it for him for Easter! Thanks!
    Reply
  4. This sounds so good! I love that you made it gluten-free. I've never seen a GF pie crust though. I bet I could make one. We eat mostly gluten-free so I love seeing gf recipes.
    Reply
    • Thanks, Amy. Pillsbury has a GF pie crust mix that you can use. For a frozen one, you can use the ones from Wholly Wholesome. I hate making pie crust :)
      Reply
  5. Orange and chocolate is one of my husband's favorite flavor combinations, I bet he'd love this!  I'm always looking for gluten-free desserts to serve when we have guests who eat gluten-free, tried and trued ones are always appreciated since I don't generally bake that way for my own family.
    Reply
  6. This pie looks outstanding! I love that it's gluten-free too. My mother eats a mostly gluten free diet due to sensitivities, I was happy to be able to share this delicious treat for Easter with her. ;)
    Reply

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