Italian Ricotta Cookies Are A Classic Cookie!
I will be totally honest with you…those Italian Christmas cookies that come on big platters at the holidays have never been my most favorite. I know they are traditional and classic, but they just aren’t…exciting.
Italian Ricotta Cookies Are A Classic Cookie!My Ricotta Cookies Are Sweet, Soft, and Delicious!Why Add Ricotta?Ingredients:How To Make Ricotta Cookies:How To Ice These Cookies…Do Italian Cookies Have Anise?Variations:How To Store Ricotta Cookies:Get the RecipeMore Christmas Cookie Ideas:
Maybe it’s because I didn’t grow up in an Italian household where I love them because they’re nostalgic. I feel like they’re all the same cookie in different shapes. Like a whole tray of the EXACT same cookie, made to look different because some have sprinkles and others have jam. Kinda like the cookie version of pasta…ALL THE SAME, but different shapes. I’m sensing a theme here, Italians! Just kidding…kinda. BUT, don’t let my personal opinion on Italian cookies sway you. These Ricotta Cookies are REALLY good. And my husband included IS Italian, with an Italian mother and I’ve gotten his seal of approval on these cookies.
My Ricotta Cookies Are Sweet, Soft, and Delicious!
I decided to throw my hand in the ring and see if I could make an Italian Cookie that I like, and mission accomplished! I certainly don’t think I’ve reinvented the wheel here, but I tweaked the classic cookie recipe slightly that these are totally classic and delicious, while staying moist with a melt in your mouth texture. The dough comes together very quickly and they bake up perfectly every time.
Why Add Ricotta?
Here’s the deal with these. They are soft and cakey, so if you’re not into cakey cookies these might not be for you. BUT the ricotta cheese gives them such a yummy texture. The ricotta cheese adds richness, while keeping the cookies soft and tender. The ricotta doesn’t impart any flavor, but keeps the cookies moist.
Ingredients:
Butter at room temperature Granulated sugar Large eggs Full fat ricotta cheese Vanilla extract Kosher salt Baking powder Baking soda All purpose flour
Icing:
Powdered sugar Almond extract Milk Sprinkles
How To Make Ricotta Cookies:
How To Ice These Cookies…
I find that dipping the cookies in the glaze icing works best! You can drizzle it on top as well, but dipping gives you a uniform coating and is fast!
Do Italian Cookies Have Anise?
They can, sure! But Anisette Cookies aren’t my favorite, so I used vanilla extract in these as well as almond extract in the glaze icing. This gives them a subtle almond flavor that I think it perfect! If you love Anise Cookies, go ahead and add 1 teaspoon of Anise extract to the cookies and sub out the almond extract for vanilla in the icing. You can use anise extract in the icing as well if you just love that traditional flavor.
Variations:
The great thing about these cookies is that you can easily play around with flavors. Here are a few easy ideas to switch up how they taste:
Add in some lemon zest (or any citrus like orange or lime) into the cookie dough or the icing. You can pair this with the vanilla extract in the recipe, or add in a few drops of lemon extract to really amp up the lemon flavor! In the icing you can sub in lemon juice for the milk to make them really lemon! You could really make these cookies into some else entirely by adding in coconut extract and skip the sprinkles and add some flaked coconut, on toasted coconut on top. Mini chocolate chips. I mean why not?
How To Store Ricotta Cookies:
These cookies store easily, which make them great to make at the holidays for your cookie tins or platters. Just store the cookies in an airtight container or zip-top bag and keep at room temperature for up to 5 days for best freshness. They also freeze great, in an airtight container for up to 30 days. Thaw at room temperature.
More Christmas Cookie Ideas:
Day 1: 3 Ingredient Shortbread Day 2: Double Chocolate Mocha Cookies Day 3: Salted Caramel Pinwheel Cookies Day 4: Perfect Spritz Cookies Day 5: Lemon Thumbprint Cookies Day 6: Milk Chocolate Lace Sandwich Cookies Day 7: Coconut Snowman Cookies Day 8: Red Velvet Snowball Cookies Day 9: Soft Molasses Cookies Day 10: Orange Cranberry Meltaway Cookies
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1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 3–4 tablespoons milk 1/4 cup sprinkles
