Vanilla Ricotta Cookies (2024)

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This soft vanilla ricotta cookie is a holiday classic. Make these if you want a soft cake-like cookie with a simple, sweet glaze.

I have partnered with the American Dairy Association Mideast to bring you this recipe. I love baking with dairy, especially during the holidays, so this is a wonderful partnership.

These Vanilla Ricotta Cookies should be included on every holiday cookie platter. I can almost guarantee that a friend or family member has shared one with you in the past. And if not, well, then it looks like you’re about to become really popular!

Baking with Dairy

The whole milk ricotta really gives these cookies a soft, cake-like texture. You can typically find ricotta cheese in tubs near the sour cream or cottage cheese in your grocery store. There are nearly no crumbs when you bite into Vanilla Ricotta Cookies, which melt in your mouth. The bottoms are golden but not hard.

Baking with dairy is an easy (and delicious!) way to add calcium and other essential nutrients to holiday dishes. Milk also adds a bit of sweetness to recipes and encourages the browning reactions you see in many tasty holiday treats, such as pastry crusts and cookies.

How to Make Vanilla Ricotta Cookies

This simple recipe comes together quickly with no fuss and makes four dozen cookies so you can share them with friends and family. It’s as simple as combining wet and dry ingredients.

Looking for a citrus variation? Try myLemon Ricotta Cookies.

Can I freeze Vanilla Ricotta Cookies?

The dough can be prepared two days in advance and left refrigerated in an air-tight container until ready to bake. You can freeze unglazed, baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Glaze cookies when brought to room temperature.

This recipe for vanilla ricotta cookies makes four dozen pillowy soft cookies. Let the frosting set up for 1-2 hours before you try to stack them. The glaze will be soft but not gooey when set. Decorate with candy sprinkles if desired.

I am also sharing this recipe for Vanilla Ricotta Cookies on the ADA Mideast website.

Vanilla Ricotta Cookies (5)

Vanilla Ricotta Cookies

Yield: 48 cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

This soft vanilla ricotta cookie is a holiday classic. Make these if you want a soft cake-like cookie with a simple, sweet glaze.

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Ingredients

Cookies:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs, large
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese, (whole milk ricotta)
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups flour, 480 grams
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Glaze:

  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons butter, salted or unsalted, melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup whole milk, (or heavy cream)
  • 3 Tablespoons sprinkles, optional

Instructions

Cookies:

  • PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

  • In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, CREAM the butter and sugar for 2 minutes until smooth and light in color. Slowly ADD in eggs, ricotta cheese, and vanilla. Mix until combined (about 1 minute). Scrape the sides of the bowl down as necessary.

  • In a separate bowl, COMBINE flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add to the mixer until a soft dough forms. Use a medium (2 tablespoons) cookie scoop. ROLL into balls and place on prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart.

  • BAKE for 10 minutes. Edges will be slightly golden. TRANSFER to a wire rack to cool.

Glaze:

  • In a medium bowl, WHISK the powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract. ADD cream or milk one tablespoon at a time to desired consistency.

  • SPREAD glaze over warm cookies and top with sprinkles. Let set until firm.

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 106mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 18g, Calcium: 28mg

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, cookies, glaze, ricotta cookies

Original recipes and images © In Katrina's Kitchen

Did you make this recipe?Tag @katrinaskitchen on Instagram with the hashtag #katrinaskitchenrecipes

Dairy farms operate 365 days a year, even on Christmas. On Christmas and every day, dairy farmers are committed to providing excellent care for their cows, producing safe, healthy milk, and protecting future generations’ environment. Thank a farmer today!

To meet Ohio and West Virginia dairy farmers, learn more about how farmers care for their cows, follow milk’s journey from farm to fridge, visit Drink-Milk.com, and follow the American Dairy Association Mideast on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Looking for similar recipes?

If you’re looking for more cookies, try my

Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles or

Ice Cream Kolacky– with ice cream in the batter!

Pepper Jelly Cornmeal Thumbprint Cookies

Sugar Doodle Vanilla Cookies

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

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Vanilla Ricotta Cookies (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular Italian cookie? ›

Biscotti: Perhaps one of the most famous Italian cookies, biscotti are crispy, twice-baked treats that are perfect for dipping in coffee or wine. Traditionally flavored with almonds and fragrant anise, these long-lasting cookies are a staple in every Italian household.

What is the origin of the ricotta cookie? ›

Ricotta cookies are a soft, almost fluffy drop cookie topped with a simple glaze. My understanding is they are Italian in origin, although I mostly think of ricotta cookies as something that's made around the holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What is ricotta fresca? ›

Ricotta Fresca di Pecora means fresh sheep's milk Ricotta in Italian. This sweet, nutty and deliciously fresh cheese can go either savory or sweet and shines as an appetizer, in salads or desserts.

What is the number one cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What is the oldest known cookie in the world? ›

In 8th century Abruzzo, Italy, the pizzelle was created and heralded for its subtle sweetness and satisfying crispy texture. These golden waffle cookies are so important to the people of south-central Abruzzo that two neighboring towns still argue about which town originated the pizzelle.

What does ricotta mean in Italian? ›

So, ricotta actually translates to recooked in Italian, and ricotta is what's called a "whey cheese." When you make cheese, you separate milk into two distinct things. You have the solids, called curds, which will be separated out and pressed to form cheese. And you have the liquid that is left behind, called whey.

What is the difference between American ricotta and Italian ricotta? ›

In the United States, American ricotta is almost always made of cow's milk whey, as opposed to Italian ricotta which is typically made from the whey of sheep, cow, goat, or Italian water buffalo milk.

Is ricotta actually cheese? ›

Ricotta is a cheesemaking byproduct

It's actually a byproduct of the cheesemaking process, so (naturally) one must make cheese to get homemade ricotta.

What do Italians use instead of ricotta? ›

Mascarpone: Another Italian cheese, mascarpone makes a great ricotta substitute. However, since mascarpone is more tart and flavorful, you should only use it in dishes with other strong flavors.

What is Mexican ricotta cheese called? ›

Mexico´s answer to ricotta cheese, requesón is so soft that it can actually be spread. It is used a lot for filling enchiladas and for antojitos such as tlacoyos and gorditas. In markets, requesón is often sold wrapped in a fresh corn leaf.

How do Italians eat ricotta? ›

In Italy, ricotta is typically eaten as a filling for pasta or cannoli. Here in Racale, Margherita's ricotta is eaten by the spoonful — without even salt or olive oil. Light and pillowy in texture, it's like tasting a cloud of sheep's milk.

What cookie originated in Italy? ›

The phrase "Italian cookie" often conjures the image of a delightful biscotti. This thick cookie gets its shape from being sliced off a dough log after it has been baked. Then, the pieces of biscotti are re-baked to ensure a crispy exterior that is almost bread-like. Biscotti can come in almost any flavor.

What are the top 5 favorite cookies? ›

Some of the most popular cookie flavors include:
  • Chocolate chip.
  • Peanut butter.
  • Peanut butter blossoms.
  • Double chocolate chip.
  • Snickerdoodle.
  • Sugar.
  • Shortbread.
  • Pumpkin.

What cookies are in an Italian cookie tray? ›

Our Classic Italian assortment is a great way to sample of our traditional sweets. This tray includes Cranberry Almond Biscotti, Amaretto Biscotti with Almonds, Chocolate Almond Macaroons and Pignoli Cookies.

What is Italy cookie choices? ›

Italy Cookie Choices allows you to easily comply with the european cookie law (and Italian too), showing a notice to the user only the very first time he visits your website. Message, position and the style can be easily modified through the plugin menu.

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