Glazed Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (300 g)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder (8 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt (3 g)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113 g)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest, divided (6 g)
• 1 large egg (50 g)
• 1 cup whole-milk ricotta, drained (250 g)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 g)
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar (180 g)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30 g)
• 1 tablespoon whole milk (15 g)
• 2 tablespoons festive sugar, optional (24 g)

Instructions

1. Cream a smooth lemon base. Beat butter, granulated sugar, and half the lemon zest for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly lighter. Add egg, ricotta, and vanilla. Scrape the bowl and mix until the pale base looks uniform, with no wet cheese pockets.
2. Make a soft scoopable dough. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt separately. Mix into the ricotta base on low only until the final flour streaks disappear. The dough should be soft and mound on a scoop rather than pour.
3. Portion on cool pans. Drop level tablespoons two inches apart on lined pans. Smooth only sharp peaks with a damp fingertip; keep the domes naturally varied. Return the bowl to the refrigerator if the kitchen is warm while the first pan bakes.
4. Bake to pale domes. Bake one sheet at a time at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Tops should look dry and spring back gently, while the very lowest rim carries a pale-gold line.
5. Glaze after cooling. Cool cookies on the pan for 4 minutes, then move to a rack. Whisk confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, milk, and remaining zest to a thick ribbon. Spoon over fully cooled domes and add sparse.

Notes

• Use the dish-specific texture cue at every stage instead of relying on minutes alone for Glazed Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies.
• Keep ingredient sizes close but naturally varied so cooking stays even and the final arrangement remains relaxed.
• Store or make ahead exactly as described above, label containers with dates, and finish visible garnish shortly before serving.

Nutrition Facts