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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Lemon Ricotta Cookie Recipe

    Jul 21, 2022 by Sandra Flegg

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    Soft and cake-like and bursting with lemon, these LEMON RICOTTA COOKIES are a lemon-lover's dream! This tried-and-true recipe delivers every time to delight everyone who samples these tasty gems! This Lemon Ricotta Cookie Recipe is a keeper!

    Lemon ricotta cookies on white plate with text overlay. this recipe!

    Ohhhhhhh, these cookies are divine. With lemon in the cookie and the icing, these cookies are simply bursting with lemon flavor.

    Classic Italian Ricotta Cookies are definitely a family favorite and these are right up there with one of our all-time faves.

    I love the simplicity and how easily this recipe comes together. No fancy equipment, no rolling pin and the cleanup is minimal.

    This recipe makes a nice big batch of 60 cookies. Perfect for sharing with family, friends and neighbours. During the holiday, I like to sprinkle the icing with gold sanding sugar .You could use the classic colored sprinkles as well.

    Enjoy these friends, and please drop a comment below to let me know what you thought of this recipe!

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for lemon ricotta cookies.
    Optional, now shown is gold sanding sugar which is a nice touch for a holiday recipe or gift.
    • All Purpose Flour
    • Baking Powder
    • Baking Soda
    • Butter
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Ricotta Cheese
    • Eggs
    • Vanilla Extract - in the cookies and the icing.
    • Lemon juice/zest - you will need two lemons for this recipe! It is used in both the cookies and the icing.
    • Powdered sugar

    Step by Step Instructions

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. I like to bake these cookies one sheet at a time, in the middle rack in the oven.

    Dry ingredients in mixing bowl with whisk.

    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.

    Butter and sugar in mixing bow from stand mixer with paddle attachment.

    In large mixing bowl, or bowl from stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This can take anywhere from three to five minutes. The mixture should be light and pale yellow in color.

    Eggs are added to the butter mixture in bowl from stand mixer.

    Add in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each additional.

    Ricotta, lemon zest and lemon juice are added to cookie dough mixture.

    Add in ricotta cheese, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest. Beat on medium speed for one minute.

    Flour mixture is added to cookie dough in bowl from stand mixer.

    Add in flour mixture, in three additions, stirring until well-combined, but do not over mix.

    Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon and drop dough, two inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

    Bake in 350°F oven for 13 to 15 minutes until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer to wire cooling racks.

    Unbaked cookies on parchment-lined baking sheet.

    Make the icing: Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice and lemon zest in small mixing bowl. You may need to add a little more lemon juice or powdered sugar to reach the desired consistency.

    Turn cookies upside down and one at a time, dip them right into the icing, allowing the icing to drip for a moment. Twist the cookie and turn upright. Icing will drizzle down the sides.

    Place on wire rack with plastic wrap or parchment paper underneath for easy cleanup.

    If using sanding sugar or sprinkles, sprinkle the on immediately as you go when icing the cookies. If you wait too long, they will not stick to the icing.

    Allow icing to dry 45 minutes to 2 hours. Enjoy!

    Lemon ricotta cookies on white plate.

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    Print
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    Lemon Ricotta Cookies with glaze on white plate.

    Lemon Ricotta Cookie Recipe


    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Sandra Flegg
    • Total Time: 28 minutes
    • Yield: 60 cookies
    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Description

    Soft and cake-like and bursting with lemon, these LEMON RICOTTA COOKIES are a lemon-lover's dream! This tried-and-true recipe delivers every time to delight everyone who samples these tasty gems! This Lemon Ricotta Cookie Recipe is a keeper!


    Ingredients

    1 cup butter, room temperature

    2 cups granulated sugar

    2 eggs, room temperature

    3 Tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed

    Zest from one lemon

    1 container ricotta cheese, 15 oz.

    2 tsp. vanilla extract

    4 cups all-purpose flour

    1 tbsp. baking powder

    1 tsp. baking soda

    Glaze:

    2 cups powdered sugar (more if needed)

    3 to 5 tablespoons lemon juice (more if needed)

    Zest from one lemon

    ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract


    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
    3. In a small mixing bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder and baking soda.  Set aside.
    4. In a large mixing bowl, or bowl from stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
    5. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
    6. Add in ricotta cheese, vanilla, lemon juice and lemon zest. Beat on medium speed for one minute.
    7. Add in flour mixture, in three additions stirring until well-combined, but do not over mix.
    8. Use a small cookie scoop, or tablespoon and drop dough two inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
    9. Bake in 350°F oven for 13 to 15 minutes until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer baked cookies to wire cooling racks.
    10.  Make the icing: Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice and lemon zest in small mixing bowl. You may need to add a little more lemon juice or powdered sugar to reach the desired consistency. Stir in ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract to taste.
    11. Turn the cookies upside down, one at a time, and dip them right into the icing. Allow the icing to drip for a moment, then twist and turn the cookie upright.
    12. Place on wire rack with plastic wrap underneath for easy cleanup.
    13. Sprinkle immediately with sanding sugar or sprinkles (if using). If you wait too long, the sprinkles will not cling to the icing as it dries pretty fast.
    14. The icing will take about 45 minutes to an hour to dry completely.

    Notes

    Storage instructions: These cookies will stay nice and fresh in a covered container for three to four days.

    Freezing instructions:  Freeze plain cookies, without icing between layers of parchment paper in airtight freezer container for up to two months.  Thaw at room temperature.  Proceed with icing.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 13 minutes
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven Baked
    • Cuisine: Italian

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 cookie
    • Calories: 110
    • Sugar: 10.7 g
    • Sodium: 27.8 mg
    • Fat: 3.9 g
    • Saturated Fat: 2.3 g
    • Trans Fat: 0 g
    • Carbohydrates: 17.4 g
    • Fiber: 0.3 g
    • Protein: 1.6 g
    • Cholesterol: 16.4 mg

    Keywords: Lemon Ricotta Cookies Recipe, Italian Ricotta Lemon Cookies

    If you've made this recipe, please come back and leave us a star rating and comment below. Or, tag us on social media @shesnotcookin or #shesnotcookin for a chance to be featured!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Ursula

      January 05, 2023 at 12:31 pm

      These are DELICIOUS! They are just as amazing as the ones my Aunt Betty made years ago, and that side of my family were all born and raised in Sicily. I am in the 1st generation of us born in the states, so I am very familiar with authentic Italian cuisine. Kudos and very well done on this recipe, Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Sandra Flegg

        January 05, 2023 at 2:41 pm

        I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed these lemon cookies! 🙂 Sandra

        Reply
    2. Tim

      January 20, 2023 at 1:08 pm

      These lemon ricotta cookies really are five star!! You just cannot stop eating them whether you're a big lemon fan or not. The soft texture with the lemon burst is delicious! Having grown up in an Italian neighbourhood these bring me back to some great memories. Thanks for the recipe Sandra!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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