Ricotta Cookies

Make an impressively sweet and delicious dessert with this Ricotta Cookies recipe. It’s a simple recipe that will leave you with irresistible cookies that keep you coming back for more.

Learn how to make the most impressive Italian Ricotta Cookies you’ve ever tasted while following this simple, stress-free recipe. It won’t take long for you to combine the ingredients and bake these wholesome, classic cookies that people often look forward to having during the holidays. However, while they’re perfect for the holiday season, you can enjoy this recipe for fresh Ricotta Cookies all year long.

What Are Ricotta Cookies?

Ricotta Cookies are a type of moist and flavorful cookie containing fresh ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, and several other essential ingredients to give them the perfect texture and taste. They’re a popular baked good found in Italian bakeries.

Ingredients Needed to Make Cookies With Ricotta 

When you’d like to make these wholesome Ricotta Cookies, be sure to have the following ingredients ready to use:

• All Purpose Flour – Start with the flour to create the dough for your cookies.
• Baking Powder – Don’t skip out on this essential ingredient that leaves cookies with the ideal texture.
• Granulated Sugar – Bring a touch of sweetness to these baked treats with some granulated sugar.
• Ricotta Cheese – Add fresh ricotta cheese into the mixture to keep these cookies moist and delicious.
• Lemon Zest – Include a slight citrus touch with lemon zest.
• Vanilla Extract – Enhance the taste of your delicious cookies with a bit of vanilla extract.

In addition to these ingredients, you’ll also need two eggs, salt, unsalted butter, rainbow nonpareils, clear vanilla or almond extract, cream, and powdered sugar, which includes the ingredients needed for the sweet glaze.

How to Make This Ricotta Cookie Recipe 

Grab a bowl and add your flour, salt, and baking powder together. 

Grab the bowl of a stand mixer and combine the butter, lemon zest, and sugar, beating until fluffy. Add your vanilla and ricotta, mixing well.

Begin to gradually add the flour into the bowl, mixing until everything comes together. Next, cover the bowl of dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two hours. 

Remove from the fridge, set the oven to 350 degrees F, and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Use a cookie dough scoop to scoop out pieces of dough and place them on your baking sheet. 

Bake the cookies for a minimum of nine minutes and a maximum of 11 minutes. Remove, cool, prepare your glaze, and then add the glaze and sprinkles on top.

Tips and Notes

1. Be sure to use fresh ricotta cheese in this recipe to give these cookies the perfect taste and texture that you’ll absolutely love.
2. If you don’t like lemon-flavored treats or anything citrusy, you can omit the lemon zest from this recipe. However, it does pair well with the other ingredients, so it’s worth trying.
3. You can use any nonpareils that you’d like. If you don’t want to use rainbow ones, you can choose from any other colored options to give your cookies the perfect finished touch.

FAQ

How many cookies does this recipe make?

You’ll be able to make a large batch of cookies with this recipe. The recipe provides you with enough dough to make anywhere between 55 and 60 cookies.

How long will it take to prepare the cookies from scratch?

While it may seem challenging, preparing these cookies from scratch is a simple process that only takes 10 minutes of your time.

Is it better to use almond extract or vanilla extract for the glaze?

When it comes to the glaze, it ultimately depends on your taste preference. Some people prefer the taste of almond extract, while others like vanilla a bit more. Test them out and see which ones you’d like. You may also want to do half with a vanilla glaze and the other half with the almond glaze. Personally, I like to use lemon extract for an added pop of lemon flavor.

Ways to Adjust the Lemon Ricotta Cookies

You can adjust the recipe a bit by using different ingredients. For example, if you don’t want to use vanilla extract on the glaze, you can use almond extract. If you want to add a crunch to your cookies, you can chop pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts into small pieces and toss them into the cookie dough batter while you prepare it.

Did you know you can make your own Ricotta Cheese? You sure can and it’s really easy.

Continue to Content

Yield: 60

Ricotta Cookies

Print

Are you craving a new type of cookie? These Ricotta Cookies are so good! Moist, simple, and tasty - the perfect cookie. 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 11 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 21 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 ¾ cups (15 oz) fresh ricotta cheese
• 1 tablespoon lemon extract
• 2 large eggs, room temperature

Glaze

• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract **see notes
• 3 tablespoons milk or heavy whipping cream, more if needed to desired consistency

Decorations

• Rainbow Nonpareils or red and green for the holidays

Instructions

Bake the Cookies

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and lemon zest until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in ricotta and extract until well combined.
4. Add eggs one and a time, beating after each.
5. Gradually add flour mixture and mix well.
6. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.
7. Remove from refrigerator and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
8. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
9. Scoop dough using a small cookie dough scoop, shape into balls, and place on prepared baking sheet.
10. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until cookies are golden brown.
11. Cool on wire rack.

Make the Glaze

1. In a medium bowl, beat all ingredients until smooth.
2. Spread on cookies or dip the tops.
3. Immediately add sprinkles.
   

Notes

Extract - swap out the lemon extract for vanilla. Using clear vanilla extract will help to keep the glaze bright white

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Imitation Clear Vanilla Extract, 2-Ounce
• 
  Silicone, Non-Stick, Food Safe Baking Mat - Pack of 3
• 
  AirBake Natural Cookie Sheet, 20 x 15.5 in

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

30

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 159Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 128mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 0gSugar: 21gProtein: 3g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.