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Soft Italian Ricotta Cookies

Category: Sweet Treats to Satisfy Any Craving

These soft Italian ricotta cookies are made light and delicate with ricotta cheese in the mix. Finished with creamy vanilla glaze and cheerful sprinkles, they're fantastic for gatherings, holidays, or anytime you want something special.

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Barbara Chef
Updated on Fri, 11 Apr 2025 01:36:31 GMT
Close-up of soft frosted cookies with colorful sprinkles, showcasing one with a bite revealing creamy inside. Highlight
Close-up of soft frosted cookies with colorful sprinkles, showcasing one with a bite revealing creamy inside. | cookwithcarla.com

Grandma's Fluffy Italian Cheese Cookies

These wonderful soft cookies transport me back to my nana's cooking space. What makes them extra tender? The smooth ricotta cheese mixed into the batter. I always top them with a basic vanilla drizzle that adds just enough sweetness. Whenever we gather for holidays or family events, these treats disappear fast, and everyone begs me to share how I made them.

Why These Treats Stand Out

My relatives can't get enough of these tasty little bites. That bit of lemon skin brings such a fresh kick, while the cheese keeps everything wonderfully soft. I'm a big fan of how you don't need to wait for the mix to chill—cookies come together so quick. They work great with different decorations too; just switch your topping colors to match any celebration. I usually whip up twice as many and store some for upcoming weeks.

Your Ingredients List

  • All Purpose Flour: 2 cups forming our cookie foundation
  • Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon helps them rise beautifully
  • Salt: 1/4 teaspoon enhances everything else
  • Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup softened completely
  • Granulated Sugar: 1 cup for just the right sweetness
  • Eggs: 2 large taken out early to warm up
  • Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons natural works better
  • Lemon Zest: 1 tablespoon grated straight from the fruit
  • Ricotta Cheese: 1 cup full-fat for best results
  • Powdered Sugar: 1 cup creates our smooth topping
  • Milk: 2 tablespoons thins out our glaze
  • Melted Butter: 1 tablespoon gives shine to the topping
  • Sprinkles: Pick colors matching your event
A plate of soft, powdered sugar-coated cookies sprinkled with colorful dots. Highlight
A plate of soft, powdered sugar-coated cookies sprinkled with colorful dots. | cookwithcarla.com

Baking Step by Step

Starting Off
Warm your oven to 350°F and cover baking trays with parchment paper—my favorite trick for easy removal
Combine Dry Stuff
In a medium bowl I stir together flour baking soda and salt using a whisk—keeps it easy
Create Your Base
Grab a large bowl and beat the soft butter with sugar until it's light and puffy then add eggs vanilla and that fresh lemon zest
Mix in the Magic
Here's where it gets good—stir in your ricotta until you've got a smooth creamy mixture
Finish the Dough
Add your dry mix to the wet stuff gradually mixing just enough to form a soft workable dough
Form Your Cookies
I grab my small scoop to make even balls placing them on lined sheets about 2 inches from each other so they can grow
Finish With Style
After they've cooled I blend powdered sugar milk butter and vanilla then dip each top and scatter sprinkles for a festive look

Fun Serving Ideas and Variations

These treats go perfectly with my early cup of joe or afternoon hot drink. For December celebrations I grab red and green toppings, springtime gets soft pastel colors, and fall holidays look great with orange and black sprinkles. Sometimes I switch to orange peel instead of lemon, or put in a drop of almond flavor for something different. The little ones in my family love putting on decorations—it's become our special cooking time together.

Storing Your Treats

Store your finished goodies in a sealed container in the cold section of your fridge and they'll stay yummy for around 4 days. Want to make them ahead? Bake the cookies without toppings and stick them in the freezer. When ready to eat, let them thaw in your fridge overnight, then add fresh glaze and colorful bits. They'll taste just-baked.

Fast Answers to Your Questions

  • Need to rest the dough? Not at all, you can bake right after mixing everything
  • Can't have wheat? Try your go-to gluten free flour mix but you might need small tweaks
  • Which cheese works best? Full-fat ricotta gives best results but lighter versions work too
  • Only got a hand mixer? That's totally fine for this recipe
  • Can I freeze decorated cookies? Better to freeze them plain and add fresh toppings later

Recipe FAQs

→ Why put ricotta in cookies?

It keeps the cookies soft and adds a touch of creaminess without making them overly sweet. Plus, it helps create a light texture.

→ Can you freeze them?

Yes! Store the baked cookies without glaze in the freezer for up to three months. Glaze them once they've thawed for the best outcome.

→ What's the sign they're baked perfectly?

The bottom should be a hint of golden with the tops still pale. Be careful not to overbake or they might lose their soft texture.

→ Help! They spread too much.

Ensure your butter isn't overly soft and your ricotta isn't holding too much liquid. If the dough feels too loose, give it a chill before baking.

→ How fast does the glaze dry?

Typically, it sets in about an hour sitting out. Need it faster? Pop the cookies in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.

Fluffy Ricotta Cookies

Soft and tender Italian cookies made with creamy ricotta and finished with vanilla glaze. A festive favorite for any celebration.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
22 min

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 24 Servings (24 cookies)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon lemon zest.
02 1 cup butter, softened.
03 2 teaspoons baking soda.
04 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
05 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract.
06 2 cups powdered sugar.
07 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
08 4-5 tablespoons whole milk.
09 4 cups flour.
10 Rainbow or holiday sprinkles.
11 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
12 1 3/4 cups sugar.
13 2 large eggs.
14 1 3/4 cups whole milk ricotta cheese.

Steps

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and grab some parchment paper to line two baking sheets.

Step 02

Combine the flour, salt, and baking soda in a mixing bowl and whisk together.

Step 03

Mix the butter, sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, and eggs until smooth and fluffy.

Step 04

Blend the ricotta into the wet mixture until it's evenly incorporated.

Step 05

Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until the dough is nice and soft.

Step 06

Use a small scoop to drop dough balls about 2 inches apart onto the parchment-lined sheets.

Step 07

Pop them in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until they’re slightly golden at the edges.

Step 08

Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let them cool down completely.

Step 09

Whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Step 10

Carefully dip the tops of the cookies into the icing and shake off any extra glaze.

Step 11

Place cookies on a rack, then scatter sprinkles over the icing while it’s still wet.

Step 12

Allow the icing to set completely before eating or storing.

Notes

  1. Choose whole milk ricotta to keep the texture rich and creamy.
  2. Make sure the cookies have fully cooled before spreading the icing so it doesn’t melt.

Required Equipment

  • Cookie sheets.
  • Stand mixer.
  • Wire cooling rack.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Cookie scoop.

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Dairy (butter, ricotta).
  • Eggs.
  • Wheat (flour).

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 291
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Carbs: 41 g
  • Protein: 5 g