Heavenly Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies Recipe with Almond Glaze

Soft ricotta Italian Christmas cookies dance with festive joy on holiday tables across Italy.

Generations have shared this delightful treat during winter celebrations.

Grandmothers carefully knead delicate dough, passing down cherished memories.

Pillowy and light, these cookies melt effortlessly in your mouth.

Sweet almond glaze adds a magical touch to each bite.

Crisp edges contrast beautifully with tender centers, creating an irresistible texture.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of these traditional delights.

Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies with Almond Glaze Essentials

• Craft Holiday Magic: Transform simple ingredients into delightful Christmas cookies that capture the warm, festive spirit of Italian baking traditions.
• Master Quick Baking: Prepare these soft, pillowy cookies with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for bakers of all levels who want to create something special without complicated techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Impress family and friends with a classic holiday dessert that combines rich ricotta texture, delicate almond flavor, and cheerful sprinkle decorations that spark joy and nostalgia.
• Versatile Celebration Dessert: Ideal for Christmas gatherings, cookie exchanges, or cozy family moments, these cookies bring a touch of Italian elegance to any festive occasion.

Ingredients Within Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies with Almond Glaze

• All-Purpose Flour: A soft white flour that provides the structure for the delicate Christmas cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookie and helps create a light, tender texture.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.

• Ricotta Cheese: Brings moisture and a subtle creamy texture to the cookies.
• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and provides structure to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic sweetness to the cookies.

• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Powdered Sugar, Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy glaze for coating the cookies.
• Almond Extract: Provides an additional layer of almond flavor to the glaze.

• Red Sprinkles, Green Sprinkles: Adds a festive holiday touch to the glazed cookies.

How to Prepare Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies with Almond Glaze

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper so your cookies won’t stick around.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this magical mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large bowl, whip butter and sugar together until they become light and fluffy. Keep beating for about 3-5 minutes until everything looks smooth and dreamy.

Step 4: Add Moisture

• Egg
• Ricotta cheese
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Beat everything until it becomes a super smooth, creamy wonderland.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Mix gently – you want a soft dough, not a tough cookie!

Step 6: Shape Delightful Drops

Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop little dough balls onto the baking sheet.

Give each cookie some breathing room – about 2 inches apart.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the tray in the oven for 12-15 minutes.

Watch for those edges turning a beautiful golden color. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 8: Whip Up Glaze Magic

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Almond extract

Stir until you’ve got a smooth, creamy glaze.

Step 9: Glaze with Love

Dunk each cooled cookie into the glaze.

Let excess drip off and place on a wire rack.

Step 10: Add Festive Flair

Sprinkle red and green sparkles on top while the glaze is still wet.

Step 11: Serve and Celebrate

Wait for the glaze to set, then dive into your delicious Christmas cookie creation!

Pro Tips on Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies with Almond Glaze

• Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve a light, fluffy texture that ensures smooth cookie dough.
• Gently spoon flour into measuring cup and level with a knife to prevent dense, heavy cookies that can become tough.
• Add milk gradually to powdered sugar to create a smooth, spreadable glaze that coats cookies evenly without being too runny.
• Use high-quality almond and vanilla extracts within their expiration date to maximize flavor and ensure a vibrant taste profile.
• Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain a more uniform cookie shape.

Variations Adding Flair to Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies with Almond Glaze

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend containing rice flour and xanthan gum for celiac-friendly treats.
• Vegan Ricotta Celebration Cookies: Swap butter for coconut oil, use tofu or cashew-based ricotta, and replace egg with flax egg to create plant-based cookies.
• Lemon Zest Christmas Cookies: Substitute almond extract with fresh lemon zest and replace almond glaze with a tangy lemon glaze for a citrusy flavor profile.
• Chocolate Chip Holiday Version: Fold mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough before baking and use a chocolate glaze instead of the traditional almond version for chocolate lovers.

Pairing Ideas for Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies with Almond Glaze

• Rich, bold Italian espresso balances the soft, delicate sweetness of these almond-glazed ricotta cookies, creating a harmonious flavor experience that highlights the cookie's subtle nutty undertones.
• This light, sparkling Italian dessert wine offers gentle sweetness and effervescence that beautifully matches the cookie's soft texture and almond glaze, enhancing the holiday treat's delightful characteristics.
• The almond-flavored liqueur echoes the cookie's almond extract, creating a seamless flavor connection that amplifies the festive and traditional Italian dessert experience, perfect for after-dinner enjoyment.

Storage Guidelines for Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies with Almond Glaze

• Store cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between each row. Keep them chilled for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicate flavor.
• Wrap unbaked or baked (unglazed) cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 3 months, preserving their original taste and quality.
• Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. For baked cookies, gently reheat in oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore freshness.

FAQs

• What makes ricotta special in these cookies?

Ricotta adds incredible moisture and a soft, tender texture to the cookies, creating a uniquely light and delicate crumb that sets these Christmas treats apart from traditional cookie recipes.

• Can I replace almond extract if I don't like it?

Yes, you can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract or use a combination of both. The almond extract provides a distinct nutty flavor, but the cookies will still be delicious with just vanilla.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a set center. The cookies should appear soft but not wet, and they’ll continue to firm up slightly as they cool on the baking sheet.

Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies With Almond Glaze Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet holiday magic comes alive with Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies, delighting families with each tender, glazed bite. Delicate almond-kissed treats promise festive warmth and cherished memories you’ll savor all season long.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Red and green sprinkles for decoration

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency with a pale yellow color, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Introduce eggs, ricotta, vanilla, and almond extracts to the butter mixture, blending until a smooth, uniform texture emerges.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to create a soft, cohesive dough without overmixing.
6. Portion dough onto the prepared baking sheet using a cookie scoop, spacing each dollop two inches apart to allow room for slight spreading.
7. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as a sign of doneness.
8. Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling before glazing to prevent melting.
9. Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract together until a silky, pourable glaze forms.
10. Dunk cookie tops into the glaze, letting excess drip off, then immediately garnish with festive red and green sprinkles.
11. Allow glazed cookies to rest until the topping sets, creating a delightful, crisp finish.

Notes

• Soften butter completely at room temperature to ensure smooth, creamy mixing without lumps.
• Use fresh, high-quality ricotta cheese for the most delicate and tender cookie texture.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping if the mixture feels too soft, helping cookies maintain their shape during baking.
• Swap almond extract with vanilla for nut-free version or experiment with different extracts like lemon or orange for unique flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 75 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg