Soft and Sweet Italian Ricotta Cookies Recipe for Cozy Baking

Soft and pillowy italian ricotta cookies dance with delightful simplicity in this charming recipe.

Sweet memories of grandmother’s kitchen whisper through each tender bite.

Ricotta brings magical moisture to these delectable treats.

Light crumbs melt across your palate with gentle sweetness.

Morsels of pure comfort emerge from simple ingredients blended with care.

Subtle hints of vanilla and lemon create a nostalgic symphony of flavor.

She promises these cookies will become your new favorite afternoon companion.

Italian Cookies That Stay Soft And Sweet With Every Bite

• Quick and Easy Baking Adventure: These Italian Ricotta Cookies offer something special for home bakers.
• Minimal Skill Required: Perfect for beginners, the recipe uses basic mixing techniques anyone can master without professional baking experience.
• Family-Friendly Treat: Create delightful cookies that appeal to all ages, making them ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or weekend baking with kids.
• Short Preparation Time: Whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes from start to finish, allowing busy home cooks to enjoy homemade desserts without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Italian Ricotta Cookies

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth cookie texture, unsalted preferred for better flavor control.
• Ricotta Cheese: Provides moisture and a subtle creamy taste, fresh ricotta works best.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's soft structure.

• All-Purpose Flour: Fundamental structure for the cookies, standard wheat flour recommended.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light and tender texture.

• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden cookie edges.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic warm flavor, pure extract preferred over imitation.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze with fine texture.
• Milk: Thins the glaze for proper consistency.
• Almond Extract: Provides delicate nutty background flavor.
• Sprinkles: Decorative topping for festive appearance, optional but recommended.

Baking Italian Ricotta Cookies with Soft Centers

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and get ready for some baking magic.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a mixing bowl, blend butter and sugar until they become a smooth, dreamy mixture.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

• Eggs
• Ricotta cheese
• Vanilla extract

Mix everything until it’s perfectly combined and looking irresistible.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the ricotta mixture.

Keep mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Roll or scoop tiny dough balls (about a teaspoon in size).

Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Watch for light golden edges – that’s your signal they’re ready.

Step 8: Cool Down

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 3 minutes.

Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: Craft the Glaze

• Milk
• Powdered sugar
• Almond extract

Mix until the glaze is silky smooth.

Step 10: Decorate with Flair

Dip the cooled cookie tops into the glaze.

Place them back on the wire rack and immediately sprinkle with colorful sprinkles.

Step 11: Finish the Batch

Repeat the glazing and decorating process for all remaining cookies.

Enjoy your delicious creation!

Italian Ricotta Cookie Tips for Soft Bites

• Leave butter at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure smooth, even mixing without lumps.
• Spoon flour into measuring cup and level off with a knife to prevent dense, dry cookies from over-packing.
• Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain a tender, soft texture.
• Let cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent runny, uneven coating and ensure sprinkles stick properly.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain freshness.

Store Italian Ricotta Cookies

• Store glazed Italian ricotta cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days.
• Place unglazed cookies in a freezer-safe container, separated by wax paper, and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing.
• Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to restore softness.
• If cookies become slightly dry, brush a thin layer of milk on the surface to help regain moisture before serving.

Drinks for Italian Ricotta Cookies

• Sip Sweet Espresso: Craft an Italian espresso with rich, bold notes that complement the delicate sweetness of the ricotta cookies, creating a classic Mediterranean dessert experience.
• Enhance with Moscato Wine: Select a chilled, light Moscato d'Asti with subtle fruit and floral undertones that beautifully balance the cookie's creamy texture and sweet glaze.
• Serve with Limoncello: Pour a chilled shot of traditional Italian limoncello alongside the cookies, offering a bright citrus contrast that cleanses the palate and adds a zesty finish.
• Accompany with Fresh Berries: Arrange a small plate of fresh strawberries or raspberries to provide a tart, juicy element that cuts through the cookie's sweetness and adds a refreshing touch.

Ricotta Cookie Add-Ins and Tweaks

• Gluten-Free Ricotta Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring texture remains soft and tender.
• Lemon Zest Variation: Add fresh lemon zest to the dough and swap almond extract with lemon extract for a bright, citrusy flavor profile.
• Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies: Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough before baking, creating a rich and indulgent version of the classic recipe.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute ricotta with coconut milk yogurt and use vegan butter to accommodate dairy-free dietary needs while maintaining the cookie's signature softness.

FAQs

• What gives these Italian ricotta cookies their unique texture?

The ricotta cheese creates a soft, moist, and tender cookie that’s lighter and more delicate than traditional butter cookies. The cheese adds a subtle richness and helps keep the cookies incredibly soft.

• Are these cookies difficult to make for beginner bakers?

These cookies are actually quite simple to prepare. The recipe requires basic mixing techniques and doesn’t need any complicated steps. Even novice bakers can successfully make these delicious cookies with basic baking skills.

• Why do the cookies have a glaze and sprinkles?

The glaze adds a sweet finishing touch and creates a beautiful, glossy coating. The sprinkles not only provide a festive look but also add a fun, colorful element that makes the cookies more appealing and cheerful.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for 1-2 days before baking. The cookies also stay fresh for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making them great for preparing in advance for gatherings or parties.

Italian Ricotta Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet memories of childhood blend perfectly with classic Italian ricotta cookies, bringing homemade comfort straight from nonna’s kitchen. Delicate, pillowy treats offer a delightful blend of creamy ricotta and gentle sugar glaze that welcomes you into a world of pure culinary nostalgia.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 container (15 ounces / 425 grams) ricotta cheese
• 2 sticks (1/2 pound / 227 grams) butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs

Leavening Agents:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 4–5 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an optimal baking temperature for delicate cookies.
2. Create a creamy foundation by thoroughly blending softened butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
3. Introduce ricotta cheese, eggs, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, whisking vigorously to integrate all components seamlessly.
4. In a separate vessel, sift together flour, baking powder, and baking soda, eliminating potential lumps and ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
5. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the ricotta blend, gently folding until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
6. Shape the dough into petite, uniform spheres approximately the size of a teaspoon, positioning them methodically on an ungreased baking sheet with sufficient spacing.
7. Transfer the cookie sheet to the preheated oven, allowing the delicate morsels to bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges acquire a delicate golden hue.
8. Remove from the oven and permit cookies to rest on the baking sheet for three minutes, facilitating initial cooling and structural stabilization.
9. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, enabling complete temperature reduction and preventing potential sogginess.
10. Craft a luxurious glaze by whisking milk, powdered sugar, and almond extract until achieving a silky, smooth texture.
11. Immerse the cooled cookie tops into the glaze, allowing excess to drip away, then embellish immediately with a sprinkle of colorful decorations.
12. Repeat the glazing process for remaining cookies, ensuring each receives an elegant, uniform coating.

Notes

• Soften butter at room temperature for easier creaming and smoother cookie texture.
• Use full-fat ricotta cheese to ensure rich, tender cookies with optimal moisture.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• For gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Customize sprinkle colors for seasonal celebrations or special occasions.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freeze unglazed cookies for up to 3 months, thaw and glaze before serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg