🇮🇹 Italian Ricotta Cookies (Soft, Pillowy & Glazed)
These classic Italian Ricotta Cookies are light, tender, and delicately sweet, thanks to creamy ricotta cheese in the dough. Finished with a simple vanilla glaze and festive sprinkles, they’re perfect for holidays, celebrations, or an everyday treat with coffee. Soft cake-like centers and a melt-in-your-mouth texture make these cookies absolutely irresistible.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Total Time: ~1 hour (including cooling & glazing)
Servings: 36 cookies
Calories: ~120 kcal per cookie
🛒 Ingredients
For the Cookies
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2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
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1/2 tsp baking soda
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1/2 tsp baking powder
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1/4 tsp salt
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1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
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1 large egg, room temperature
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1 cup (250 g) whole-milk ricotta cheese
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1/2 tsp almond extract (optional but traditional)
For the Glaze
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1 1/2 cups (180 g) powdered sugar
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2–3 tbsp milk (or lemon juice for a citrus glaze)
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1/2 tsp vanilla extract
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Sprinkles (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Dough
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Beat in the egg until smooth. Add ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky—this is normal.
2️⃣ Scoop & Bake
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded dough portions onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cookies are set and lightly golden on the bottom. The tops should remain pale and soft.
Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
3️⃣ Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency as needed.
4️⃣ Glaze & Decorate
Once cookies are fully cooled, dip the tops into the glaze or spoon glaze over each cookie. Add sprinkles immediately if using.
Allow glaze to set for about 20–30 minutes before serving.
🍽️ Serving & Storage
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Serve with espresso, cappuccino, or tea
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Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days
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Freeze unglazed cookies for up to 2 months