Name: Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 48 cookies
Cuisine: American

It is a Keeper Verified

February 13, 2026

Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies are an amazing cookie for the holidays for those who love a sweet, fluffy cookie. With its delicious glaze and light, airy texture, this ricotta cookies recipe is a must-add to your dessert table. Its especially great for a larger crowd as it makes a lot of cookies. Everyone will be delighted to try this lemon cookie!

From the Cook

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Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies

It is a Keeper Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Cookies

In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest.

Use an electric mixer to beat together until the mixture is pale and fluffy.

Mix in the ricotta cheese and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Add the eggs to the mixture, one at a time, making sure each one is fully mixed in before adding the next.

In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

With the mixer set to low, slowly add in flour mixture and mix until combined.

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Scoop 1 tablespoon of chilled dough and roll into a ball; Place rolled dough onto prepared baking sheets at least 1 inch apart. Repeat with remaining dough.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until the bottoms are golden.

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire cooling rack to completely cool.

Glaze

Meanwhile, prepare glaze by whisking together the melted butter, powdered sugar, lemon juice and 4 tablespoons of milk.

Whisk until smooth. The glaze should be thicker than traditional glaze. If glaze is too thick, add one tablespoon of milk at a time until desired consistency.

Once cookies have completely cooled, dip the tops into the glaze and place on wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet (to catch the drips).

If adding sprinkles, do so immediately after dipping.

Allow glaze to fully dry before storing.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Ricotta Moisture Magic 💧
Always drain excess moisture from ricotta cheese using a cheesecloth to prevent soggy cookies and ensure a perfect, light texture.
Zest Technique Perfection 🍋
Use a microplane grater for ultra-fine lemon zest, which releases more essential oils and provides a more intense citrus flavor without bitter pith.
Chilling Dough Strategy ❄️
Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create a more uniform, soft cookie shape.
Glaze Consistency Hack 🥄
Add powdered sugar to your lemon glaze gradually and use a whisk to achieve the perfect drizzling consistency - it should coat the back of a spoon smoothly.
Even Baking Technique 🍪
Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookie sizes and rotate the baking sheet halfway through cooking to ensure consistent, golden-brown edges.

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About the Cook

It is a Keeper

Hi! I’m Christina… welcome to my kitchen! It’s so nice to meet you! I share tried and true recipes that anyone can make. I believe, if you can read, you can cook.