Sweet Italian Rice Pie

Stir flour and baking powder together in a bowl; set aside. Beat 1/2 cup sugar and butter together in a separate large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in 3 eggs, one at a time, until combined; stir in vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture to make a soft dough. Divide dough in half and shape into two balls. Working on a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball to fit two 10-inch pie plates. Line the pie plates with crust, and refrigerate until needed.

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan; stir in rice. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Stir in milk and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens. Set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Meanwhile, beat ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 6 eggs together in a mixing bowl until smooth and frothy. Stir in cooled rice mixture until evenly blended; pour into pie shells.

Bake pies in the preheated oven until filling is set and tops are golden brown, about 90 minutes. Cool on racks.