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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Italian Ricotta Cookies

    Updated: Aug 15, 2024 · Published: Aug 2, 2022 by Andrea

    Jump to Recipe
    Ricotta cookies, image with text for pinterest.

    Ricotta cookies are one of the most popular Italian cookies - They have a soft cake-like texture and a delicious lemon glaze.

    There are many Italian ricotta cookies recipes out there, but if you're looking for THE authentic recipe, you are in the right place!

    The original ricotta cookie recipe contains no oil or butter, so they're actually healthier than most cookies, yet they taste absolutely delicious.

    Ricotta cheese adds a light flavor, an amazing texture, and softness that makes these cookies impossible to resist, and you won't taste the cheese at all.

    italian ricotta cookies.

    Made in one bowl, with just 6 simple ingredients, I promise these are the BEST ricotta cookies you'll ever try.

    As an added bonus, they're super easy to make, you can actually ask your kids to help you out, my 4-year-old loves making them with me!

    Jump to:
    • What is ricotta cheese?
    • Ricotta cookies ingredients
    • How to make Italian ricotta cookies
    • Storage
    • Can I make them ahead?
    • Recipe

    If you love Italian cookies as much as I do, I also recommend trying these amaretti cookies, traditional biscotti, and these delicious pizzicati cookies!

    What is ricotta cheese?

    Ricotta is a very popular Italian fresh and creamy cheese, used for many savory and sweet recipes.

    To be super precise, ricotta is not actually a cheese, but a dairy product - just like mozzarella and burrata cheeses.

    The Italian word "ricotta" literally means "re-cooked".

    To make the real authentic ricotta, the whey is cooked twice to obtain this fresh dairy product and rennet is added into the mix.

    You can find ricotta cheese in most grocery stores or in your local Italian deli, alternatively, you can make homemade ricotta at home.

    Ricotta cookies ingredients

    You won't believe how easy these lemon ricotta cookies are!

    For this easy ricotta cookie recipe, you need the most simple ingredients, in typical Italian fashion.

    You'll need just 6 ingredients:

    italian ricotta cookies ingredients: lemon, ricotta, flour, egg, baking powder, sugar.
    • Flour: I use regular all-plain flour or Italian 00 flour.
    • Eggs: go for a medium-sized egg.
    • Lemon: Lemon zest adds a beautiful citrusy note, you can swap it with orange zest if you like. Opt for unwaxed organic lemons if possible.
    • Sugar: use regular granulated sugar for this recipe. You can also use raw cane sugar.
    • Baking powder: a little baking powder gives the cookies a nice slightly softer and pillowy texture.
    • Ricotta cheese: ricotta adds moisture and gives these cookies their typical cakey texture.

    GLAZE FOR LEMON RICOTTA COOKIES

    The glaze is optional and made by mixing powdered sugar with milk.

    You can flavor the icing by adding a drop of vanilla extract or lemon extract.

    Fun fact: In Italy, authentic ricotta cookies are not usually glazed and topped with sprinkles, as they often are in the US.

    Feel free to leave some of the cookies without icing for a more authentic taste, and glaze the remaining ones.

    Top them with sprinkles or even better, with lemon zest.

    lemon ricotta cheese cookies.

    How to make Italian ricotta cookies

    This is a quick overview of how to make Italian ricotta cookies with step-by- step pictures.

    For the full recipe, scroll down to the easy-to-print recipe card.

    how to make ricotta cookies recipe collage of four images with the four steps.

    STEP 1. In a large bowl whisk together the ricotta, sugar, lemon zest, and egg.

    STEP 2. Sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl. Mix all the ingredients until you have a compact and soft dough.

    STEP 3. Use your hands to form small balls. Arrange them on a baking tray, then refrigerate them for 15 minutes.

    STEP 4. Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes. Cool completely, then sprinkle them with powdered sugar, or dip them in the glaze and top with sprinkles or lemon zest.

    Italian cookies with ricotta cheese.

    Storage

    • In the fridge: store the cookies in an airtight container or sealed jar. Keep them in a cool spot in your kitchen or in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
    • In the freezer: Place the cookies on a baking sheet for an hour, then transfer them to a ziplock bag and freeze them for up to two months. I recommend freezing them without the glaze and glazing them right before serving them.

    Can I make them ahead?

    Yes, you can! You can form your lemon ricotta cookies the night before, refrigerate them overnight then bake them in the morning.

    You can also freeze them before they are baked.

    Place them on a baking sheet for an hour, then transfer them to a ziplock bag and freeze them for up to one month.

    To bake them after freezing, let them thaw for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator, then bake them.

    ricotta italian cookies with lemon.

    More Italian cookie recipes to try

    • Mostaccioli Cookies
    • Limoncello Cookies
    • Baci di Dama - Hazelnut Cookies

    Did You Try This Recipe?

    Please let me know how you liked it! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #thepetitecook!

    Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.

    Recipe

    italian ricotta cookies. with lemon and glaze.
    Print SaveSaved!
    4.93 from 14 votes

    Italian Ricotta Cookies

    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Italian ricotta cookies are one of the best holiday cookies - Topped with lemon glaze, they have a soft cake-like texture, and are super easy to make!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time17 minutes mins
    Total Time27 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Italian
    Serving: 24
    Calories: 107kcal
    Author: Andrea Soranidis

    Ingredients

    • 250 g ricotta cheese, well drained
    • 150 g sugar
    • zest of 1 lemon
    • 1 egg
    • 250 g all purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder

    For the icing:

    • 130 g powdered sugar
    • 2 tablespoon milk, plus extra if needed
    • 1 tablespoon sprinkles, optional
    • 1 tablespoon lemon zest, optional

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta with the sugar, lemon zest and egg, until you have a creamy, lump-free mixture.
    • Gradually sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl. Mix all the ingredients by hand until you have a compact and soft dough.
    • Slightly wet your hands and form small balls (around 24 grams/0.8 oz each), you can also use a cookie scoop. Arrange them on a baking tray covered with parchment paper, then refrigerate them for 15 minutes.
    • Preheat oven to 170°C/340°F or with fan option on at 150°C/300°F. Arrange the baking tray onto the middle shelf.
    • Transfer the cookie tray into the oven and bake for 17 minutes, or until slightly golden on top. Remove the cookies from the oven and arrange them on a wiring rack.
    • Once the cookies are cool, sprinkle them with powdered sugar, or dip the tops of the cookies in glaze and return them to the wire rack. Immediately top with sprinkles or lemon zest and allow the glaze to set at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in a single layer.

    For the icing:

    • In a small bowl whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth, adding in more milk 1 teaspoon at a time to thin as needed ( don't add too much milk, it should be a quite thick glaze).

    Video

    Notes

    Please note that all my baking recipes are tested with gram measurements, which are more accurate than cup measurements. US cup amounts are provided, but for best results please always use a scale when measuring ingredients.
    SUBSTITUTIONS
    You can substitute the lemon zest with an equal amount of orange zest. You can also substitute it with 1 teaspoon of almond extract.
    STORAGE TIPS
    Store the baked cookies in an airtight container or sealed jar. Keep them in a cool spot in your kitchen or in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
    FREEZING TIPS
    How to freeze unbaked cookies:
    Place them on a baking sheet for an hour, then transfer them to a ziplock bag and freeze them for up to one month.
    To bake them after freezing, let them thaw for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator, then bake them.
    How to freeze baked cookies:
    Place them on a baking sheet for an hour, then transfer them to a ziplock bag and freeze them for up to two months.
    For best results, freeze the cookies without the glaze, and glaze them before serving them.
    Did you try this recipe? Tag @thepetitecook or use the hashtag #thepetitecook - Looking at your pictures makes my day!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie with glaze | Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    MORE CHRISTMAS ITALIAN COOKIES TO TRY

    If you liked this recipe, check out more favorite Italian cookie recipes here:

    • Italian S Cookies - Biscotti A Esse
    • Amaretti Cookies - Italian Almond Cookies
    • Italian Sesame Cookies - Reginelle
    • Italian Butter Cookies
    • 3-Ingredient Parmesan Cookies

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. JC Montiel says

      November 16, 2023 at 11:48 pm

      4 stars
      I liked it, some people didn’t like it. It needed more flavor but it was good.

      Reply
    2. Donna Tuminaro says

      November 16, 2023 at 7:59 pm

      These look wonderful! I just got done baking some other Italian Ricotta Cookies and while they are delicious, they are loaded with calories (lots of butter). I want to try your recipe; however, I am not a fan of lemon. Can I use this recipe without the lemon zest? Thanks so much!

      Reply
    3. Di says

      March 19, 2023 at 11:06 pm

      Maybe a weird question but I like a flatter cookie unsure how to get one ~ less flour or less baking powder ?

      Your cookies look awesome so perfect for spring and I will try the recipe as written not trying to change it ~ just been on a quest to recreate a bakery cookie I had ~ a Ricotta Cookie
      Thanks ~

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        April 11, 2023 at 1:07 pm

        Hi! They don't change very much in size while they bake, so all you have to do it give them a flatter shape with your hands 🙂 Happy baking!

        Reply
    4. TerryB says

      November 11, 2022 at 6:45 pm

      I just made this recipe, I weighed all my ingredients and came up with about 20% more dough. I portioned and baked according to the directions. the first batch got brown on the bottom very quickly and I pulled early so the bottom would not burn. I reduced the oven temperature to 325 and baked for about 15 minutes they seemed better.I would watch the first tray you bake carefully.

      Reply
    5. Lucy says

      August 03, 2022 at 9:54 pm

      Can gluten free flour be used?

      Reply
      • Andrea says

        August 04, 2022 at 11:44 am

        Hi Lucy, I haven't tried it, but I assume a gluten-free flour blend could work!

        Reply
    4.93 from 14 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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    Andrea Soranidis, founder of The Petite Cook.


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