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Soft Italian Ricotta Cookies with Glaze

These Soft Italian Ricotta Cookies with Glaze are tender, sweet, and perfect for sharing. With a simple mix of ingredients, they work beautifully for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 240
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cookies
  • 1 cup butter, softened Softened to room temperature
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta, excess liquid drained off Drain before measuring
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
For the glaze
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk Add until glaze is thick and spoonable
  • 0.5 teaspoon almond or anise extract Can be omitted or replaced with extra vanilla
  • 1 cup holiday sprinkles or nonpareils For decoration

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together for 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  2. Mix in the drained ricotta, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt on low speed, mixing only until combined.
  4. Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
Baking
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two light-colored baking sheets with parchment.
  2. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
  3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until tops are pale and centers may look slightly underdone.
Glazing
  1. Cool cookies completely on a rack before glazing.
  2. Whisk together powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and almond or anise extract, adding more milk if needed to achieve thickness.
  3. Dip or spoon the glaze over each cookie and add sprinkles immediately.
  4. Let the glaze set for 20 to 30 minutes before serving or storing.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. Freeze undecorated cookies for 2-3 months. Warm gently before serving.