Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and Moist: The ricotta cheese ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Bright Citrus Flavor: The orange zest and juice add a vibrant and refreshing twist.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for any home baker.
- Versatile: Perfect for desserts, snacks, or a holiday treat.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ricotta cheese
- Granulated sugar
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Large eggs
- Zest of 1 orange
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Powdered sugar (for icing)
- Orange juice (for icing)
- Extra orange zest (for garnish)
Directions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, and softened butter. Mix until smooth. Add eggs, orange zest, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Scoop Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth.
- Decorate: Drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies and garnish with extra orange zest if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy these delightful cookies with a cup of tea or coffee!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes approximately 24 cookies.
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes.
- Cooking Time: 18 minutes.
- Calories: Approx. 120 per cookie.
Variations
- Lemon Version: Substitute orange zest and juice with lemon for a tangy twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Replace the icing with a drizzle of melted dark or white chocolate.
- Festive Touch: Sprinkle colorful sugar or edible glitter over the icing for a holiday vibe.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: Extend freshness by storing in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze un-iced cookies for up to 3 months. Defrost and add icing before serving.
- Reheating: Enjoy at room temperature or slightly warm in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.
FAQs
1. Can I use low-fat ricotta cheese?
Yes, but full-fat ricotta yields a richer texture and flavor.
2. Can I freeze these cookies?
Absolutely! Freeze the un-iced cookies and add icing after thawing.
3. Can I substitute orange zest with orange extract?
Yes, but use a small amount of orange extract as it’s more concentrated.
4. What’s the best way to zest an orange?
Use a microplane grater for fine zest without the bitter white pith.
5. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredients and adjust the baking time as needed.
6. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe.
7. How can I make the icing thicker?
Add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.
8. Are these cookies chewy or cakey?
They are soft and cakey due to the ricotta cheese.
9. Can I skip the icing?
Yes, the cookies are delicious even without icing, though the icing enhances their flavor.
10. What can I pair these cookies with?
Enjoy with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk for a perfect pairing.
Conclusion
Italian Orange Ricotta Cookies are a delightful blend of soft texture and bright citrus flavor, making them a must-try recipe. Whether for a festive occasion or a cozy snack, these cookies are sure to impress. With simple ingredients and endless variations, you’ll find yourself making them again and again!
Italian Orange Ricotta Cookies
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the soft, citrusy delight of Italian Orange Ricotta Cookies. Perfect for any occasion, these easy-to-make cookies are moist, flavorful, and irresistibly tender.
Ingredients
- Ricotta cheese
- Granulated sugar
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Large eggs
- Zest of 1 orange
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Powdered sugar (for icing)
- Orange juice (for icing)
- Extra orange zest (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese, sugar, and softened butter until smooth. Add eggs, orange zest, and vanilla, and mix well.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Scoop Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are golden. Cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Prepare Icing: Combine powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth.
- Decorate: Drizzle icing over cooled cookies and garnish with orange zest.
- Serve: Enjoy with coffee or tea!
Notes
- For a tangy variation, use lemon zest and juice instead of orange.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze un-iced cookies for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
