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Iced ricotta cookies on a cooling rack.

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Diana Rattray
Your friends and family will fall in love with these soft, cake-like Italian ricotta cookies! They are easy to make and perfect for any occasion!
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Servings 48 cookies
Calories 93
Course Cookies, Italian Food, Ricotta Cheese
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, (284 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, (200 grams)
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (170 grams)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese, whole milk (246 grams)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract or anise extract

For the Icing

  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar, (454 grams)
  • 3 to 5 tablespoons milk, lightly warmed or room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • Rainbow sprinkles for topping

Instructions

Make the Cookies

  • Make the cookie dough. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt in a bowl; whisk or stir to blend and set aside. In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg, ricotta cheese, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture and beat on medium-low speed until well blended. Add the dry mixture and stir until blended.
  • Chill. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the cookie dough for 1 hour.
  • Prepare the oven and baking sheet. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Shape the cookies and bake. Use a cookie scoop to scoop mounds onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between the cookies. Alternatively, shape them into balls with your hands. Flatten each mound slightly, then bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until set and just barely browned on the bottoms. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough.
    Ricotta cookies on a cookie sheet.
  • Cool the cookies. Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely before icing.

Prepare the Icing

  • Mix the icing ingredients. Combine the confectioners' sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk and the almond extract. Whisk, adding more milk, a teaspoon at a time, to make a glaze.
  • Ice the cookies. Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze or use a spoon to glaze them.
  • Decorate. Top with your choice of sprinkles. 
    Iced ricotta cookies on a cooling rack.

Nutrition

Calories: 93kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 46mgPotassium: 16mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 118IUCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.3mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword christmas cookies, drop cookies, italian cookies, ricotta cheese, ricotta cookies
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