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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
- 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.
- Introduce eggs, ricotta, vanilla, and almond extracts to the butter mixture, blending until a smooth, uniform texture emerges.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to create a soft, cohesive dough without overmixing.
- Portion dough onto the prepared baking sheet using a cookie scoop, spacing each dollop two inches apart to allow room for slight spreading.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as a sign of doneness.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling before glazing to prevent melting.
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract together until a silky, pourable glaze forms.
- Dunk cookie tops into the glaze, letting excess drip off, then immediately garnish with festive red and green sprinkles.
- 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