Description
Irresistible Italian lemon ricotta cookies blend zesty citrus with creamy ricotta for a delightful treat. Sweet and tangy flavors invite you to savor each delectable bite of Mediterranean sunshine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 250 g (1 cup) ricotta cheese
- 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 120 g (1 cup) powdered sugar
- 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Creaming: Whip softened butter and granulated sugar into a fluffy, pale mixture using an electric mixer until light and aerated.
- Wet Ingredient Fusion: Blend egg, ricotta, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, creating a smooth, harmonious consistency.
- Dough Formation: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Mix minimally to preserve the cookie’s delicate texture.
- Baking Preparation: Line baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Position oven rack in the center for even heat distribution.
- Cookie Shaping: Scoop rounded dollops of dough onto prepared sheets, spacing them generously to allow for subtle spreading during baking.
- Baking Process: Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookie edges transform into a gentle golden tone, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.
- Cooling and Setting: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely and develop their characteristic soft texture.
Notes
- Butter Softening Technique: Ensure butter is at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to achieve the perfect creamy, cloud-like texture without melting.
- Lemon Zest Maximization: Grate lemon zest directly before mixing to capture maximum essential oils and bright citrus flavor, avoiding dry or bitter notes.
- Dough Handling Precision: Mix dry ingredients gently and minimally to prevent gluten development, which can result in tough, dense cookies instead of tender, melt-in-your-mouth treats.
- Cooling Critical Step: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes after removing from oven to help them set properly before transferring to wire rack, preventing potential crumbling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg