How to Make Melt-in-Your-Mouth Ricotta Cookies

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Ricotta cookies, delicate and delicious, are a treasured Italian treat. They’re known for their soft, cake-like texture and subtly sweet, citrusy flavor. What makes these cookies truly special is the addition of ricotta cheese, which lends a wonderful moisture and richness that will have you reaching for another bite (or two!). Whether you’re a baking enthusiast or just looking for a new recipe to impress your loved ones, these ricotta cookies are surprisingly easy to make and sure to become a family favorite.

Let’s Gather Our Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese, drained
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional, but recommended for a bright citrusy flavor)

Tools You’ll Need:

  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Zester (if using lemon zest)
  • Wire rack for cooling

Let’s Get Baking:

  1. Prepare your oven and baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.

  2. Cream together butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

  3. Incorporate wet ingredients: Add the drained ricotta cheese, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined.

  4. Mix in the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. If you’re using lemon zest, add it in now.

  5. Shape and bake those cookies: Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.

    ricotta cookie dough ready for bakingricotta cookie dough ready for baking

  6. Bake to perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown.

    golden brown ricotta cookies fresh from the ovengolden brown ricotta cookies fresh from the oven

  7. Cool and enjoy: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Cookie Success:

  • Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix until the ingredients are just combined.
  • Use fresh ingredients: Using fresh ingredients, especially ricotta cheese, will make a noticeable difference in the flavor and texture of your cookies.
  • Storage: Store your cooled ricotta cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to 2 months.

These ricotta cookies are truly a delight to make and enjoy. Their soft, cake-like texture and delicate sweetness are sure to win over anyone who tries them. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and bake up a batch of these delightful treats! Don’t forget to share your baking adventures with us in the comments below! We’d love to hear about your experience making these melt-in-your-mouth ricotta cookies.

Article by Family Cuisine

We are the food lovers, the taste testers, the kitchen experimenters who make up the familycuisine.net team. We're chefs, home cooks, and culinary enthusiasts who have come together to share our passion for food with you. With the help of AI, we're able to bring you the most delicious, reliable, and exciting content from around the world.

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