Italian Ricotta Cookies

Italian Ricotta Cookies are soft, cake-like cookies made with ricotta cheese, which adds a deliciously creamy texture. These cookies are often flavored with vanilla or citrus zest and topped with a sweet glaze and sprinkles. Here’s a basic recipe for making them:

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (drained)

For the Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk (or more to adjust consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the dough:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
   • In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
   • Add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest (if using), and mix well.
   • Add the ricotta cheese and mix until combined.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.

2. Form the cookies:

   • Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
   • Gently flatten each cookie slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers.

3. Bake:

   • Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops are set. Be careful not to overbake, as you want them to stay soft.

4. Make the glaze:

   • While the cookies are cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract (if using) in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and slightly thick but pourable. Add more milk if needed to achieve your desired consistency.

5. Glaze the cookies:

   • Once the cookies have cooled completely, drizzle the glaze over the tops of the cookies and sprinkle with colorful sprinkles if desired.

6. Serve and enjoy:

   • Let the glaze set before serving. Enjoy your soft, fluffy Italian Ricotta Cookies!

These cookies are perfect for holidays or any occasion. The ricotta gives them a light, tender texture and a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet glaze!