Here’s a delightful recipe for Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies! These soft, cake-like cookies are flavored with ricotta cheese and often decorated with a sweet glaze and sprinkles. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings and make a lovely addition to any cookie platter.
Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons milk (or water)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
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Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
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Add Ricotta and Egg:
- Add the ricotta cheese, egg, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and lemon zest (if using) to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined.
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Combine Mixtures:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
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Scoop the Cookies:
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
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Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies will remain soft, so be careful not to overbake.
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Cool:
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Prepare the Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.
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Glaze the Cookies:
- Once the cookies are completely cool, dip the tops into the glaze or drizzle the glaze over the cookies. Immediately sprinkle with colorful sprinkles before the glaze sets.
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Serve:
- Allow the glaze to set before serving. Enjoy your Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies with family and friends!
Tips:
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment with different extracts or add-ins, such as chocolate chips or dried fruit.
- Decorating: These cookies are perfect for decorating! You can use colored icing or edible glitter for a festive touch.
Enjoy your Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies! They’re a delightful treat that captures the spirit of the holiday season!