Soft Italian Ricotta Cookies With a Sweet Vanilla Glaze

Ricotta cookies are the soft, cakey ones I always grabbed from the holiday tin, with a vanilla glaze that sets on top. I add the ricotta cold so the crumb stays tender instead of tough.

The Italian Ricotta Cookies Recipe is easy to follow and results in a batch of cookies that are both flavorful and visually appealing. Ideal for holiday gatherings or as a simple dessert, these cookies are bound to become a family favorite.

Deliciously Soft Ricotta Cookies with Glaze

These ricotta cookies are baked to a perfect softness, infused with a hint of lemon zest and topped with a rich vanilla glaze. This recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare and bake, yielding around 24 cookies.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup ricotta cheese
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)
Sprinkles or colored sugar for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, beat together the ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, and softened butter until creamy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest, and mix until smooth.

Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Shape and Bake: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Glaze Cookies: Once cookies are cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top. Optionally, sprinkle with colored sugar or sprinkles for decoration.
Serve: Enjoy these delicious Italian ricotta cookies with family and friends, perfect for any occasion.