Description
Festive orange cranberry ricotta cookies blend Italian tradition with winter charm. Sweet-tart flavors and delicate texture invite winter celebrations with each delightful bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250g / 8.8 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240g / 8.5 ounces) ricotta cheese (whole milk or part-skim)
- 1 cup (200g / 7 ounces) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup (120g / 4.2 ounces) dried cranberries
Butter and Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup (113g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients and Leavening Agents:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Glaze:
- 1 cup (120g / 4.2 ounces) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- Optional: additional orange zest for garnish
Instructions
- Create a fluffy, lightweight mixture by creaming butter and sugar until pale and airy. Incorporate egg, ricotta cheese, vibrant orange zest, fresh orange juice, and vanilla extract, blending until uniformly smooth.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate container, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to maintain the delicate texture. Carefully integrate dried cranberries throughout the dough.
- Wrap the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and dough to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Using a cookie scoop, portion dough into rounded mounds, positioning them approximately 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden hue and surfaces appear set.
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
- Prepare a silky glaze by whisking powdered sugar with orange juice until achieving a smooth, drizzling consistency.
- Once cookies have completely cooled, generously drizzle glaze over the tops, allowing excess to cascade down the sides.
- Optionally, sprinkle additional orange zest for a vibrant garnish and enhanced citrus aroma.
- permit glaze to set completely before serving these delectable treats.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a perfect cookie texture during baking.
- Substitute dried cranberries with fresh ones for a juicier burst of flavor, adjusting moisture content slightly.
- Use room temperature ingredients to help create a smoother, more evenly mixed cookie dough that blends effortlessly.
- For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements and mixing technique.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg