Description
These delightful Italian Ricotta Cookies with almond glaze are a cherished holiday tradition, perfect for Christmas celebrations! Soft, sweet, and beautifully decorated, they are sure to be a hit with family and friends. The rich ricotta cheese gives the cookies a light, fluffy texture, while the almond glaze adds a festive touch and flavor. These cookies are as much fun to make as they are to eat, making them a must-have for your holiday festivities.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
For the Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- Red and green sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth and creamy.
- Glaze the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, dip the tops into the glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the glazed cookies upright on the wire rack.
- Decorate: Immediately sprinkle the tops with red and green sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Set and Serve: Allow the glaze to set before serving. Enjoy your delicious Italian Ricotta Cookies!
Notes
- Best for Immediate Consumption: For best results, glaze only the cookies you plan to serve immediately. Store unglazed cookies in an airtight container to maintain their softness.
- Make Ahead: These cookies can be made a few days in advance and will stay fresh if stored properly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 34mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 17mg