Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published December 5, 2022. Updated November 29, 2023

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Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies are soft and tender, cake-like cookies with sweet and simple icing. They have a light lemon flavor and that sink-your-teeth-in moisture, thanks to the rich ricotta. They’re holiday classics and such a fun recipe to try if you’ve never made them.

Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe - Cooking Classy (1)

The Best Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe!

Our favorite ricotta cookies! They’re easy to make and they’re always consistently delicious.

They’re so good that you can never stop at just one.

The ricotta cookie dough can be made two days in advance so it’s a great make-ahead recipe. Plus it makes a huge batch of cookies so they’re great for celebrations and gifting.

You’ll love their lightly lemony flavor, the melt-in-your-mouth texture, and that sweet and simple icing finish. And if you want a little contrast finish them with crunchy sugar sprinkles which also add a pretty and festive pop of color.

Watch the Video!

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Ingredients for Ricotta Christmas Cookies

This recipe calls for basic ingredients most all of which you already have on hand. You’ll need:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Lemon
  • Ricotta – use whole milk
  • Vanilla
  • Eggs
  • Butter
  • Powdered sugar
  • Milk

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How to Make Ricotta Cookies

  1. Whisk flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.
  2. In an electric stand mixer cream together butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest until pale and fluffy.
  3. Mix in ricotta and vanilla extract then blend in eggs one at a time.
  4. Mix in flour mixture.
  5. Chill dough 2 hours or up to 2 days.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  7. Scoop chilled dough out 1 Tbsp (heaping) at a time and shape into balls, drop onto lined baking sheets.
  8. Bake in preheated oven 12 – 14 minutes until underside of cookies are golden, cool.
  9. Spread over glaze and let set.

Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe - Cooking Classy (6)

Possible Variations

  • Almond extract: Use almond extract in place of the lemon zest and juice for another flavor option. Use 1/2 tsp almond extract in the dough and 1/4 tsp in the glaze. Replace lemon juice with milk.
  • Orange: You can swap orange zest and orange juice for the lemon, and add extra zest for more orange flavor (up to 2 Tbsp).
  • Lime: Lime zest and lime juice will work well in place of lemon. Use equal amounts.
  • Chocolate chips: Add white chocolate chips to the cookie dough or mini chocolate chips.
  • Nuts: 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans can be added to the dough.

How to Store Ricotta Cookies

  • Container: Store ricotta cookies in an airtight container. If layering be sure to place parchment paper between them.
  • Fridge: These will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
  • Freezer: Ricotta cookies can be frozen for 3 months. I do however recommend waiting to add the icing though because it does wrinkle over time.

Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe - Cooking Classy (7)

Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe - Cooking Classy (8)

More Delicious Ricotta Dessert Recipes to Try!

  • Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies
  • Lemon Poppy Seed Ricotta Cookies
  • Lemon Ricotta Cake
  • Cannoli
  • Puff Pastry Tarts with Ricotta Cream Filling

Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe - Cooking Classy (9)

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Italian Ricotta Cookies

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Soft and fluffy, lightly lemony, melt-in-your-mouth cookies made with rich ricotta (for moisture and flavor) and finished with a sweet icing.

Watch the video

Servings: 60

Prep30 minutes minutes

Cook50 minutes minutes

Ready in: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Icing

Instructions

  • For the cookies:

  • In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.

  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment whip together butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest until pale and fluffy (scrape down sides and bottom of bowl occasionally throughout entire mixing process).

  • Mix in ricotta and vanilla extract then blend in eggs one at a time. Set mixer on low speed and slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill 2 hours or up to 2 days. Preheat oven to 350 degrees during last 20 minutes of dough chilling.

  • Scoop chilled dough out 1 Tbsp at a time and shape into balls (if it's too sticky just drop onto sheet using two spoons), drop onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (don't use dark baking sheets).

  • Bake in preheated oven until set, 12 - 14 minutes (bottoms will be lightly golden brown). Cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

  • Once cool spoon icing over cookies and return to wire rack, immediately add sprinkles if using.

  • Allow icing to set at room temperature. Store in an airtight container preferably in a single layer and preferably store in the fridge (bring to room temperature before serving).

  • For the glaze:

  • In a mixing bowl whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, lemon juice or almond extract, vanilla and 4 Tbsp milk until smooth.

  • Add in more milk 1 tsp at a time to thin as needed (you don't want it to be very thin, it should be quite a bit thicker than a doughnut glaze).

Notes

  • *Scoop flour directly from container using measuring cup and level top using a butter knife. Don't whisk or sift before measuring and don't spoon into a cup. The best option is to use a kitchen scale, I highly recommend investing in one if you don't already have one. I always use mine when baking.
  • **Cookies previously listed using 2 tsp baking soda, but a few have had issues with cookies rising so recipe has been improved to use baking powder instead.
  • Recipe source: adapted fromNew York Times

Nutrition Facts

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 125Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Trans Fat 0.1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 18mg6%

Sodium 41mg2%

Potassium 41mg1%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 0.2g1%

Sugar 13g14%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 142IU3%

Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

Calcium 28mg3%

Iron 0.5mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Ricotta Cookies

Author: Jaclyn

Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular Italian cookie? ›

Most Popular Italian Cookies
  • Amaretti. These lovely almond-flavoured biscotti were supposedly first made during the Middle Ages. ...
  • Ricciarelli. ...
  • Baci di dama. ...
  • Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti. ...
  • Savoiardi. ...
  • Canestrelli. ...
  • Biscotti al Cocco. ...
  • Pizzelle.
Oct 22, 2020

What are the different types of ricotta cheese? ›

Fresh ricotta is readily available in a variety of forms, but the most common types are: ricotta di mucca (cow milk ricotta), ricotta di pecora (sheep milk ricotta), and ricotta mista di mucca e pecora (a mixture of cow and sheep milk ricottas).

Where did ricotta cookies originate? ›

Ricotta cookies are a soft, almost fluffy drop cookie topped with a simple glaze. My understanding is they are Italian in origin, although I mostly think of ricotta cookies as something that's made around the holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

How many calories are in a ricotta cookie? ›

Calories in ricotta cookies
Calories58.3
Cholesterol12.7 mg
Sodium43.4 mg
Potassium13.3 mg
Total Carbohydrate8.1 g
8 more rows

What is a popular Italian cookie? ›

Amaretti cookies are a celebrated Italian classic known for their unique crunchy exterior and soft, almond-rich center. Often flavored with amaretto or almond extract, they offer a delightful taste experience. Amaretti di Saronno cookies come with an enchanting legend: Roll the cookie's wrapper.

What is the number one cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What do Italians use instead of ricotta? ›

Mascarpone: Another Italian cheese, mascarpone makes a great ricotta substitute. However, since mascarpone is more tart and flavorful, you should only use it in dishes with other strong flavors.

What is the difference between ricotta and Italian ricotta? ›

In the United States, American ricotta is almost always made of cow's milk whey, as opposed to Italian ricotta which is typically made from the whey of sheep, cow, goat, or Italian water buffalo milk.

How do Italians eat ricotta? ›

Then, I head to an unmarked shop in the outskirts of town to buy some of Margherita Cavalera's exquisite ricotta. In Italy, ricotta is typically eaten as a filling for pasta or cannoli. Here in Racale, Margherita's ricotta is eaten by the spoonful — without even salt or olive oil.

What cookie was not invented until 1938? ›

It wasn't until very recently, around 1938, that chocolate chip cookies were first invented. Unlike a lot of other things, the chocolate chip cookie was not invented by accident. During the 1930s, a chef named Ruth Graves Wakefield decided to give something different to her customers.

What can I use instead of ricotta for cookies? ›

In This Article:
  1. Cottage Cheese.
  2. Greek Yogurt.
  3. Cream Cheese.
  4. Sour Cream.
  5. Crème Fraiche.
  6. Silken or Firm Tofu.
  7. Fresh Goat Cheese.
  8. Mascarpone.
Jan 4, 2024

What is the history of the Italian Christmas cookie? ›

They originated in Ortona, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Families once had pizzelle irons made with family crests, special dates, or other celebratory designs to decorate the cookies with. The crispy cookies quickly became an Italian holiday favorite.

Can you freeze ricotta? ›

Stored properly, fresh ricotta will last in the freezer for one to three months. Once you thaw your cheese, it is not recommended to refreeze it. Since freezing it just once already causes the cheese to degrade somewhat, you can imagine what constant thawing and refreezing would do.

How many calories in a lemon ricotta cookie? ›

Freshness Guaranteed Lemon Ricotta Cookies (1 cookie) contains 27g total carbs, 27g net carbs, 6g fat, 2g protein, and 170 calories.

Can you freeze thumbprint? ›

Yes, you can freeze thumbprint cookies — but it's best to freeze them before filling them with jam. Make and par-bake the dough, then use your thumb to press an indent into each puffed cookie.

What cookie originated in Italy? ›

Italian Biscotti: Twice-Baked Traditions

Biscotti are traditionally made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and nuts. Almond biscotti, one of the most famous variations, showcases the nutty richness that defines Italian biscotti.

What is the name of the Italian cookie? ›

This is the proper name for the biscuit we know as biscotti, which in Italian just means “cookies.” Twice-baked and sliced, these ultra-crunchy, not-too-sweet biscuits are usually studded with nuts and simply beg to be dipped in coffee, tea, or a glass of vin santo.

What do Italians call their cookies? ›

The word biscotto, used in modern Italian to refer to a biscuit (or cookie) of any kind, originates from the Medieval Latin word biscoctus, meaning 'twice-cooked'. It characterised oven-baked goods that were baked twice, so they became very dry and could be stored for long periods of time.

What is Europe's favorite cookie? ›

Europe's favorite cookie with coffee since 1932. Biscoff Cookies are a type of shortcrust biscuit known as "speculoos", a Belgian specialty. Often served as a side to coffee, Biscoff Cookies are well-known for its unique caramelized flavor.

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