Description
Silky smooth Italian lemon ricotta cookies blend zesty citrus with creamy richness, creating a delightful sweet treat. Delicate and light, these cookies offer a perfect balance of tangy and sweet that will transport dessert lovers straight to sunny Italian kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 250 g (1 cup) ricotta cheese
- 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
Leavening Agents:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze Ingredients:
- 120 g (1 cup) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
- Cream butter and sugar in a separate large bowl until the texture becomes light and airy, developing a smooth consistency.
- Incorporate egg, ricotta, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until completely smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 180C (350F), ensuring optimal baking conditions.
- Portion the cookie dough using rounded tablespoons, strategically placing each dollop approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets.
- Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for golden edges and lightly bronzed bottoms.
- Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, enabling initial cooling and stability.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack for complete cooling, ensuring they reach room temperature.
- Craft a glossy glaze by whisking powdered sugar and lemon juice until achieving a silky, pourable consistency.
- Generously drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled cookies, creating an elegant finish.
- Optional: Sprinkle additional lemon zest atop the glazed cookies for enhanced visual appeal and citrusy brightness.
- Permit the glaze to set for approximately 15 minutes before serving, allowing it to solidify and create a delicate sugar crust.
Notes
- Swap ricotta for Greek yogurt to reduce fat content while maintaining moisture and tangy flavor.
- Use gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising texture.
- Experiment with alternative citrus zests like orange or lime for unique flavor variations.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create more uniform cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg