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Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies with Almond Glaze Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

These Soft Ricotta Italian Christmas Cookies are tender, moist, and bursting with almond and vanilla flavors. Made with creamy ricotta cheese and topped with a sweet almond glaze and festive red and green sprinkles, they are the perfect holiday treat to share with family and friends. Baked to a delicate golden edge, these cookies offer a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that captures the spirit of Italian Christmas baking.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

Glaze

  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

Decoration

  • Red and green sprinkles for decoration


Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
  3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. This will incorporate air to give the cookies a tender texture.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, and almond extract until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and smooth.
  5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix as this could make the cookies tough.
  6. Shape the Cookies: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
  7. Bake the Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. After baking, remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
  9. Glaze the Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled fully, dip the tops of each cookie into the almond glaze. Let any excess glaze drip off and place the glazed cookies upright on the wire rack.
  10. Decorate: Immediately sprinkle red and green festive sprinkles on top of the glaze before it sets for a colorful holiday touch.
  11. Set and Serve: Allow the glaze to fully set before serving these delightful Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies. Enjoy their soft texture and sweet almond flavor!

Notes

  • Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to keep the cookies tender.
  • Make sure the cookies are completely cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.
  • Almond extract can be adjusted to taste or substituted with additional vanilla extract if preferred.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute ricotta with a plant-based alternative and use vegan butter.