Italian Ricotta Cookies
Updated Jan. 22, 2025
- Total Time
- 1 hour, plus 2 hours’ chilling
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 2sticks (1 cup) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 425grams sugar (about 2 cups)
- 1¾cups ricotta cheese (15 ounces), preferably fresh
- Finely grated zest of ½ lemon
- 4teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2large eggs
- 480grams all-purpose flour (about 4 cups)
- 10grams baking soda (2 teaspoons)
- 4grams fine sea salt (about ¾ teaspoon)
- 450grams confectioners’ sugar (about 4 cups)
- 2tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼cup to ½ cup milk, as needed
- Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar, optional
Nutritional analysis per serving (72 servings)
111 calories; 4 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 18 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 13 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 69 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Using an electric mixer, cream 2 sticks butter with sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add ricotta, lemon zest and 2½ teaspoons vanilla and beat well. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Scrape the sides of the bowl down with a rubber spatula, then beat in flour, baking soda and salt. Cover dough and chill for at least 2 hours and up to a week.
- Step 2
Heat oven to 350 degrees and line several cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liners. Shape tablespoons of dough into balls. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheets and bake until pale golden on the bottom, about 15 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.
- Step 3
Melt remaining tablespoon butter. Whisk confectioners’ sugar to break up any large lumps, then whisk in melted butter, lemon juice, remaining 1½ teaspoons vanilla and enough milk to make a spreadable icing. Spread icing on cooled cookies, decorate with sprinkles or sanding sugar, if desired, then let set for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Private Notes
Comments
I accidentally added the full 4 tsp of vanilla to the dough. It worked out fine as my Italian friends told me this was the best version of this cookie they have ever had.
This is a terrific recipe and my cookies were a huge hit. They turned out beautifully. After reading the comments, I used all 4 tsp vanilla extract in my dough, and an additional 1 1/2 tsp in the icing. One tip - make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to bake these. Each tray will only be in the oven about 15 minutes, but chances are you will have 4+ trays, and you want to leave a bit of time for your oven to come back up to temp every time you open it. Will def make again!
The millennial thing is tiring. I love anise and I'm a "millennial." Maybe your coworker's just a jerk who doesn't like liquorice.
These were so good! I tweaked the recipe slightly: For half batch .5 I did 150 grams of sugar and I also cut the sugar in the frosting and added extra lemon juice as someone else mentioned. Last thing I topped the frosted cookies with salted lemon zest :)
These really are delicious. I baked half of the dough and froze the other half in balls for future cookies. The tip about dipping the glaze was helpful. I forgot to add the butter to the glaze, and it tasted fine, but I'm sure with butter would have been better!!
So so good. Very cakey but soft and good flavor. I only used 3 cups of powdered sugar and it made more than enough glaze. So easy and will make again