Bright Citrusy Sweet Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies Recipe

Soft, pillowy cookies with lemon ricotta cookies dancing on your taste buds promise a delightful culinary adventure.

These delicate treats blend creamy textures with bright citrus notes.

Tender and light, they melt in your mouth with each delectable bite.

The recipe originated in traditional Italian kitchens, where simple ingredients create magic.

Ricotta cheese adds a luxurious richness that sets these cookies apart from ordinary desserts.

Zesty lemon zest provides a refreshing twist that cuts through the sweetness.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this straightforward yet impressive recipe.

Prepare to indulge in a little slice of Italian comfort that will transport you straight to a sunny Mediterranean kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 170 kcal

Servings: 12

What’s Inside Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and soft texture with a delicate crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help cookies rise and create a light, airy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender cookies with a smooth, creamy base that melts in your mouth.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden, crisp exterior.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides moisture and structure.
• Ricotta Cheese: Delivers incredible softness and a subtle tangy flavor to the cookies.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Brings bright, zesty citrus notes that make these cookies refreshingly unique.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warm aromatic undertones to complement the lemon.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, glossy finish that adds extra sweetness.
• Lemon Juice: Transforms powdered sugar into a silky glaze with additional citrus punch.

Tools to Bake Ricotta Cookies Just Right

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking flour and other dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for creating smooth mixtures without lumps.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar to light, fluffy perfection.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for precise ingredient quantities.
• Baking sheets: Used for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing the lemon glaze.
• Tablespoon: Perfect for dropping cookie dough onto baking sheets.
• Zester or grater: Helps create fresh lemon zest for extra flavor.

Making Italian Lemon Cookies the Way

• Warm Up Your Kitchen

Crank the oven to 350F and grab a baking sheet. Lay down some parchment paper to create a non-stick surface for your delightful treats.

• Create Creamy Base

Mix soft butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like texture. Blend in ricotta, egg, zesty lemon juice, and vanilla until everything looks smooth and dreamy.

• Build Cookie Foundations

Gently fold dry ingredients into your creamy mixture. Stir just enough to combine – no aggressive mixing allowed! The goal is a light, tender cookie.

• Shape Delicate Morsels

Scoop small rounded dollops of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave some breathing room between each cookie cluster.

• Bake To Perfection

Slide the tray into the hot oven and let magic happen. Watch for edges turning golden and bottoms becoming light amber – about 12-15 minutes.

• Create Tangy Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar with a splash of lemon juice until silky smooth. This will transform your cookies from good to absolutely irresistible.

• Dress Your Cookies

Once cookies have cooled completely, drizzle the zesty glaze over top. For an extra pop of flavor, sprinkle some fresh lemon zest.

• Let Glaze Set

Give your glazed cookies about 15 minutes to dry and set before serving. Enjoy your lemony little pieces of happiness!

Tangy Add-Ins for Ricotta Cookie Fans

• Sunshine Soft Touch: Gently fold ingredients to keep cookies light and airy, preventing dense or tough textures.
• Zesty Flavor Boost: Use fresh lemon juice and zest for maximum citrusy punch, avoiding bottled juice which can taste flat.
• Dairy-Free Swap: Replace ricotta with coconut cream or vegan cream cheese to create a lactose-free version of these delightful cookies.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Cookie dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days before baking or frozen for up to 2 months, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for convenient preparation.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum to maintain the cookies' tender texture and ensure everyone can enjoy this sweet treat.

Serving Ricotta Cookies with a Twist

• Zesty Brunch Companion: Pair these delightful cookies with a freshly brewed cappuccino or light herbal tea for a perfect mid-morning treat.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange the cookies on a beautiful serving tray alongside other light pastries and garnish with fresh lemon slices and mint leaves for a sophisticated presentation.
• Summer Picnic Delight: Pack these cookies in a cute container for outdoor gatherings, beach trips, or garden parties as a refreshing and portable sweet snack that everyone will love.
• Gift-Worthy Treat: Wrap a batch of these cookies in clear cellophane with a pretty ribbon, creating a homemade gift that showcases your baking skills and spreads delicious cheer.

How to Store Italian Ricotta Cookies

• Fresh Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Cookie Freezing Technique: Wrap unglazed cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and add glaze before serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. This allows flavors to develop and simplifies last-minute preparation.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Transport cookies carefully in single layers between sheets of wax paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent crumbling during travel or gifting.

Sweet Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Silky italian lemon ricotta cookies showcase zesty citrus notes in a delightful dessert. Creamy ricotta and bright lemon zest create a perfect balance of sweetness and tang you’ll savor with each delicate bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 large egg
• 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 250 g (1 cup) ricotta cheese
• 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 120 g (1 cup) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Dry Mixture Preparation: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined and aerated.
2. Butter Creaming: Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a fluffy, pale yellow consistency with soft peaks.
3. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend egg, ricotta, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, creating a smooth, fragrant base.
4. Dough Formation: Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring gently until a uniform dough emerges without overmixing.
5. Baking Setup: Line baking sheets with parchment paper and heat oven to 180C (350F), positioning racks in the middle for even heat distribution.
6. Cookie Portioning: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared sheets, spacing each cookie approximately 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
7. Baking Process: Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookie edges turn golden and bottoms develop a light bronze color, indicating perfect doneness.
8. Initial Cooling: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, allowing them to firm up and become easily transferable.
9. Complete Cooling: Carefully transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing them to reach room temperature and develop a tender texture.
10. Glaze Creation: Whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice until achieving a smooth, glossy glaze with a ribbon-like consistency.
11. Finishing Touch: Drizzle lemon glaze generously over cooled cookies, creating an elegant and tangy coating.
12. Final Garnish: Optional – Sprinkle additional lemon zest over glazed cookies to enhance visual appeal and citrus profile.
13. Glaze Setting: Allow glazed cookies to rest for 15 minutes, permitting the sugar coating to solidify and create a delicate, crisp surface.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients to maintain a soft, tender cookie texture, avoiding tough or dense results.
• Zest Selection: Use fresh, vibrant lemon zest for maximum citrus flavor, avoiding dried or older zest that can diminish the bright, tangy notes.
• Temperature Precision: Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing, ensuring smoother blending and more consistent cookie structure.
• Glaze Consistency: Adjust lemon glaze thickness by adding powdered sugar or lemon juice incrementally, creating a smooth, drizzleable topping that sets perfectly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 175
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg