Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies (Valentine Themed Recipe) (2024)

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Learn how to make theseItalian ricotta cookiesfor your Valentine’s Day dessert. These are homemade buttery melt-in-your-mouth cookie that is made with simple ingredients. I added a powdered sugar glaze and some festive Valentine’s Day sprinkles. This cookie offers a sweet lemon twist for delicious cookies with colorful sprinkles. Try theseValentine’s Day cookiestoday.

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Cake-like cookiesare such a classic dessert served for parties and all types of special occasions. You can change up the sprinkles to fit any holiday season you would like. This recipe is also great for a cookie exchange.

Try mychocolate brownie cupcakes,red velvet cookies, or even thisValentine’s day whoopie pie recipe. These are all Valentine’s Day themed desserts.

Why These Cookies Are So Popular

• Italian ricotta cookies are a perfect Valentine’s Day treat, created at home with simple ingredients.
• These cookies have a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and are finished with a powdered sugar glaze and colorful Valentine’s Day sprinkles.
• The cookie recipe incorporates a delightful lemon twist, making them a fun and festive dessert option.
• The popularity of these cookies stems from being one of the best and most traditional Italian recipes, their delicious glaze, unique lemon flavor, and festive toppings of red, pink, and white sprinkles.
• The cookies are covered with a straightforward glaze and have a tender texture, adding to their appeal.

Ingredients For Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies

• All Purpose Flour– Scoop the flour into the measuring cup and then level off the top.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda– You will use both for helping create the fluffy texture.
• Butter– I used unsalted butter, but if you use salted butter, just know it can add a bit of a salty taste.
• Sugar– Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the cookies.
• Ricotta cheese– I used whole milk ricotta for this recipe; it helps to add depth and flavor to the cookies.
• Egg– I used a large egg; room temperature egg is recommended.
• Vanilla and Lemon Extract –I used lemon and vanilla extract for this recipe to add a sweet but citrus-flavored cookie.
• Powdered Sugar– This is the base of the powdered sugar glaze.
• Milk– You will use milk to thin up the glaze to your preference.
• Sprinkles– Now, I used Valentine’s Day sprinkles, but you are welcome to use any color of sprinkles you would like.

The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

How To Make Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies

• Mix butter and sugar until smooth in a large bowl or with a mixer. Then add ricotta cheese, egg, and extract.(Photos 1 & 2)
• Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ones in a medium bowl. Mix on low speed.(Photos 3 & 4)
• Chill the cookie dough in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight.

• Use a cookie scoop to place the dough a few inches apart on a baking sheet.(Photo 5)
• Bake the cookies as instructed, then let them cool on a rack.(Photo 6)
• Mix the milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until a smooth glaze. (Photo 7)
• Spoon the over the cookies, and add sprinkles. (Photos 8)

Expert Tips

• Chilled dough is a must; otherwise, you will not get the proper texture of cookies you would like.
• If you use a small cookie scoop, you will bake the cookies for a shorter time.
• The cooled cookies with glaze will set up after about an hour or two.
• You can swap almond extract with the lemon if you are not a lemon lover.
• If your confectioners’ sugar is lumpy, you will use a sifter to remove the lumps.
• I recommend placing the cookies on a wire rack for cooling.
• If you don’t have an electric mixer, you can use a whisk and mix by hand.

Storing Tips

The ricotta Italian cookies need to be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. They will store for up to three days. Now, if you would like, you can freeze the cookies as well. Place in a sealed freezer bag or freezer container. Freeze the cookies for 2-3 months, and thaw in the fridge overnight.

I use parchment paper or wax paper between the layers to prevent the cookies from sticking. The sweet glaze can cause the cookies to stick together.

What To Serve With Italian Ricotta Cookies

Italian Ricotta Cookies are delightful on their own, but if you want to create a full dessert experience, serve them alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea. Their sweet, buttery flavor and light texture pair wonderfully with the bitterness of coffee or the subtle flavors of tea.

For a truly indulgent treat, these cookies can also be served with a scoop of vanilla gelato or a slice of creamy cheesecake. If you aim for a more festive spread, accompany these cookies with other Italian pastries and sweets, such as cannoli, tiramisu, or panna cotta.

Recipe FAQs

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• Cookie Scoop Size Cheat Sheet