Name: Italian Orange Ricotta Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons ricotta cheese (room temperature) ((170 grams)); 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar ((112 grams)); 2 tablespoons butter (softened); 1 egg; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; zest 1 orange; 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour ((225 grams)); 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 cup icing / powdered sugar; 1/2 - 1 tablespoon heavy/whipping/ whole cream; 1/2 - 1 tablespoon orange juice ((fresh)); 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened) ((112 grams)); 2 tablespoons butter; 1 1/4 cups icing / powdered sugar* ((156 grams)); 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

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These delicious cake like Orange Ricotta Cookies are the perfect tea or snack cookie. A tasty cookie topped with a cream cheese frosting. So good you can’t stop at just one.

Orange Ricotta Cookies

I never really had much of a relationship with ricotta cheese. My mother would use it in her lasagna, which I discovered when I moved to the Central area of Italy was a no no.

In Rome a Bechamel Sauce (white sauce), a tomato sauce with ground beef, mozzarella and parmesan were all that was needed. And this was definitely the Perfect Homemade Lasagna.

Later I learned that ricotta cheese is used in a Lasagna recipe from Naples.

But back to these Orange Ricotta Cookies, they definitely taste amazing with the addition of a little ricotta cheese. Italians love some lemon zest or juice in their cookie or cake recipes.

But this time I decided to change it up a bit with orange instead. Of course if you prefer lemon then you can just make a one for one substitution with the orange.

I usually finish these cookies off with a simple orange glaze but this time I made a creamy cream cheese frosting that I must say, was the perfect addition!

Either way, I think these cake like cookies will be a big hit with everyone, and I bet no one will be able to stop at just one!

How to Make Ricotta Cookies

In a large bowl beat the ricotta, sugar and butter until creamy, then mix in the egg, vanilla and zest.

Add the flour and baking powder and mix just until combined.

Drop by spoonfuls on parchment paper lined cookie sheets.

Bake for about 12 minutes, let the cookies cool then spread with a little cream cheese frosting.

Top with some fancy sprinkles or even chocolate curls.
And there you have Italian Ricotta Cookies.

Depending on the type of sprinkles you can decorate them for any holiday. They are perfect anytime of the year, or just because!

How to Store Ricotta Cookies

Cookies should be stored in an airtight container. They will last for about two to three days at room temperature (as long as your house is not too warm, if it is then store directly in the fridge).

Any longer than that then the cookies should be stored in the fridge, for up to five days.

Can Ricotta Cookies be Frozen?

Yes they can be frozen, although I think it is better to freeze them without the frosting. Place the cookies in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze, once frozen transfer the cookies to an airtight freezer safe container.

Once the cookies are thawed then spread with the icing if desired. You could also use a simple glaze if you wanted before serving.

Thawing the Frozen Cookies

Remove the cookies from the container, let them sit at room temperature to thaw, this is to prevent condensation forming and the cookies becoming soggy.

More Delicious Italian Cookies

I hope you enjoy these perfect Tea, Special Occasion or Just Because Cookies as much as we do. Enjoy!

ricotta cookies with frosting on a wire rack

Italian Orange Ricotta Cookies

Rosemary Molloy

These delicious cake like Orange Ricotta Cookies are the perfect tea or snack cookie. A tasty orange cookie topped with a creamy orange glaze.

4.97 from 27 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 12 mins

Total Time 22 mins

Course Christmas Cookies, cookies, Desserts

Cuisine Italian

Servings cookies

Calories 94 kcal

Ingredients

FOR THE COOKIES

1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons ricotta cheese (room temperature) (170 grams)
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (112 grams)
2 tablespoons butter (softened)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
zest 1 orange
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour (225 grams)
1 teaspoon baking powder

ORANGE GLAZE**

1 cup icing / powdered sugar
1/2 - 1 tablespoon heavy/whipping/ whole cream
1/2 - 1 tablespoon orange juice (fresh)

**the glaze should be quite thick so start with 1/2 tablespoon first.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1/2 cup cream cheese (softened) (112 grams)
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/4 cups icing / powdered sugar* (156 grams)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

*add more if necessary

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Line one or two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

FOR THE COOKIES

In a large bowl or stand up mixer beat on medium speed until creamy (about 2-3 minutes) the ricotta, sugar and butter. Then add the egg, vanilla and zest and beat to combine, add the flour and baking powder and beat until just combined.
Drop by spoonfuls (I used a tablespoon) onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes. Let cool completely before glazing.

FOR THE GLAZE

In a small bowl mix together the icing / powdered sugar, cream and orange juice. Mix until smooth. (should be quite thick). Spread on cooled cookies and sprinkle with chopped chocolate or sprinkles. Enjoy!

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese and butter, add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until creamy. Spread over the cooled cookies.

Notes

For room temperature, remove from the fridge 30-45 minutes before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 94kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 14mgPotassium: 34mgSugar: 9gVitamin A: 55IUCalcium: 21mgIron: 0.5mg

Keyword Easy Italian Cookies, Italian ricotta cookies, ricotta cookies

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Updated from September 20, 2018.

Italian Orange Ricotta Cookies