Oh my goodness, are these cookies ever the bomb! I'm probably late on the band wagon with these cookies, but honestly, the first time I ever ate one was almost a year ago. We were invited to our new neighbors house for their daughter's birthday. We met some more of our new neighbors, one of whom had made these awesome cookies that I didn't want to stop eating. They were the perfect cookie, soft and tender with an awesome lemon flavor in the cookie and the icing. I fell in love.
The next month I had a surprise birthday party for Grumpy. I thought it would be a good way to get to know our new neighbors more and an opportunity for me to feed people! Of course when Stacy, one of our new friends asked what she could bring, my first response was her Italian Ricotta Cookies!
I decided these would be a great cookie to make to wrap and give as gifts to a few special people this year so I asked Stacy if she would mind if I made her recipe and blogged about it. Of course the response was positive 'cause here I am!
This also is the "pre-announcement" of my 4 year blog anniversary giveaway! I have never really celebrated a blog anniversary and this year I felt it would be a great time to do so. I have made so many friends through blogging over the last 4 years and several of those friends will be joining me on December 27th to celebrate on their own blogs. Watch for the post coming up next week to see what the prize will be along with all the wonderful foodie items that my friends and I will be sharing with you! I have some very special people in the bloggy world that I will be talking about and showing my appreciation for - you don't want to miss any of it!
In the meantime, if you need to make some other treat that is quick, easy AND delicious, definitely make these cookies. They take very little time and you will become the star of the day by serving them to those you love. Thank you Stacy for sharing your recipe with me. Your awesome!
Italian Ricotta Cookies
Ingredients
FOR THE COOKIES
- 1 cup butter at room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 15 ounces ricotta Cheese
- 4 cups all purpose flour
FOR THE ICING
- 3 cups confectioners sugar
- 1½ lemon juiced
- 1 lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add vanilla and lemon flavorings (you can also substitute Anise flavoring for the lemon). Stir in the ricotta cheese.
- Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to batter and stir until combined.
- Drop onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper using a large (¼ cup) cookie scoop. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
FOR THE ICING
- Add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest to a large mixing bowl. Stir until sugar is dissolved and of spreading consistency. Add more sugar or lemon juice as needed to thicken or thin out the icing.
Sheila
This is a great recipe and the only one I will use for ricotta cookies. The first time I ever made them I used the recipe from this blog and have hesitated to ever use anyone else's because they are so perfect.
The only thing I will say is that I get 6-7 dozen from this recipe. My cookies are a normal size but I find the recipe yields well over the 3 do mentioned above.
Thanks for sharing this and helping me start a Christmas tradition. I make these every year for my son's school "Cookie Walk". They are always a hit.
mickeydownunder
G'day These look yum and have very fond memories of them in childhood!
Cheers! Joanne
http://whatsonthelist.net
Anonymous
I have been making these cookies for 50yrs, I make all the italian cookies, my grandmother came from italy that is where I learned all the recipe's from her.I have given the recipe to a few people.
Scout's Honor
Yum
Jeff @ Cheese-Burger.net
Wow! This Italian ricotta cookies looks so delicious!
Chef Dennis
they look wonderful! I have a lot of ricotta and have been wondering what to do with it! Thanks for the inspiration!
Dennis
Bizzy B. Bakes
Ricotta has a wonderful taste in cookies. It is subtle and sweetish.
Flourchild
They look wonderful! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
Coleen
NEVER too late for a great cookie recipe, thanks!!
Curt
Oh boy, these cookies look as soft and tasty as you say. I can certainly see them being a hit in our house!
honeyb
Mmm, those look good. I've made some that look similar before but have buttermilk. I'm sure the ricotta tastes even better!
Mari @ Mari's Cakes
They must be as delicious as they look. I would love to taste them, I never thought of having ricotta cheese in cookies. Thanks for the recipe.
10+ for the lemony icing! Have a Merry Christmas 🙂