Name: Almond Ricotta Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 144 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup sugar; ½ cup butter, softened ((one stick)); 1 cup ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk; ½ teaspoon almond extract; sliced almonds for decorating (optional)

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Italian Almond Ricotta Cookies are easy to make and perfect for every occasion. Made with ricotta cheese, almond extract, and topped with a delicious glaze, this is sure to be your new favorite Italian cookie recipe.

Italian Almond Ricotta Cookies on a white plate.

It's no secret that Italians love to cook with ricotta cheese. And for good reason! This delicious mild cheese adds a soft and velvety texture to everything you make with it.

These Italian Almond Ricotta cookies are a great recipe to try if you are just starting to bake with ricotta. The cheese adds both moisture and texture to the cookie, giving them a super soft finish.

Overhead photo of Italian Almond Ricotta Cookies on a plate.

Almond Ricotta Cookies are great for any occasion. They are perfect for the holidays, but just as good served after dinner. I like to have some on hand in the freezer for snacking or for last minute guests.

What I love about these cookies is that they stay soft and flavorful even days after baking. I recommend storing the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or you can freeze for up to a month.

For another classic Italian cookie, don't miss these Anise Cookies or Italian Wedding Cookies! And, for a simple three ingredient cake, try this Italian Walnut Cake recipe.

Baking with Ricotta

Italians love to bake with ricotta cheese. It gives baked goods a moist and fluffy texture, without adding a lot of extra fat. Here are some of my favorite ricotta baking recipes.

Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake is hands down a fan favorite recipe. This simple cake is made with lemons, ricotta, and a few pantry staples. Perfect for entertaining or just to have around for snacking.

Italian Lemon ricotta cake recipe — *Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake Recip*e

Limoncello Ricotta Cookies are another fun ricotta cookie. This fluffy confection is perfect for cookie exchanges or if you are just looking for a slightly more grown up cookie.

Limoncello dessert on a plate with Limoncello liqueur. — ***Limoncello Ricotta Cookies Recipe***

Almond Ricotta Cake is another delicious Italian dessert. Perfect if you love that almond flavor, there are pieces of ground almonds sprinkled throughout.

Almond Ricotta cake with slice almonds and powdered sugar on top. — ***Almond Ricotta Cake Recip e***

There are many different recipes you can make with ricotta cheese. For baking purposes, you want to make sure that you are using whole milk ricotta cheese. Also, if using ricotta for a cake, be sure to beat the ricotta with a handheld mixer until it is light and fluffy.

And, if you're baking for the holidays, be sure to add these Cinnamon Sugar Blondies to your list! And definitely don't forget the Pumpkin Biscotti.

Italian Almond Ricotta Cookies

This simple recipe for Italian Almond Ricotta Cookies is sure to become your new favorite cookie recipe. Plus, it's simple to put together and yields about three dozen cookies... perfect for sharing!

To start, you want to make sure that you have enough time to chill the dough before baking it. I recommend refrigerating for at least two hours. You could even make the dough up to a day in advance before baking. In a pinch, you could bake without chilling the dough. For this, I would recommend using a small cookie scoop sprayed with cooking spray to handle the sticky dough.

When baking, be sure to leave about 2-3 inches of space between each dough ball. Note that the baked cookies will not change much in color. Bake for about 12-14 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are set and a slightly golden brown color.

Once the cookies have cooled completely, you can add the glaze to the tops of the cookies. Additionally, you could bake ahead of time, refrigerate, and glaze before serving.

The glaze for these Italian Almond Ricotta Cookies is super simple and only requires three ingredients: powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract. Moreover, you only need to flip and dip the cookie to glaze it.

Lastly, if desired, top the finished cookie with sliced almonds for a pretty finish. Or you can use crushed or slivered almonds if you have them. And, for another delicious Italian Cookie with a simple glaze, don't miss my Taralli Dolci recipe!

Hope you love this recipe. Be sure to comment below if you try it. Enjoy!

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4.93 from 14 votes

Almond Ricotta Cookies

Italian Almond Ricotta Cookies are a traditional Italian cookie that's delicioius served for any occasion.

Prep Time10

Cook Time14

Chill Tim2

Total Time2 24

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Almond Ricotta cookies, Italian Cookies, Ricotta Cookies

Servings: dozen

Calories: 96kcal

Author: Angela Allison

Cost: 8-10

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter, softened (one stick)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon almond extract

Almond Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon almond extract
sliced almonds for decorating (optional)

Instructions

Line a baking pan with a baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium/high to cream together the sugar and butter, until mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the ricotta, egg, and one teaspoon of almond extract, and mix until combined. Add in the flour mixture and mix until just combined.
Cover the cookie dough and chill in the refigerator for at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove cookie dough from refigerator and use a cookie scoop to measure out about a tablespoon of batter and roll into a ball. Place on prepared baking sheets leaving about 2 inches between cookie balls.
Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the bottom of the cookie starts to brown slightly. Note that the cookies will not change color much. Cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
To make the glaze, in a small bowl whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and ½ teaspoon of almond extract. Hold the cooled cookie upside down and dip the top of the cookie in the glaze. Return to the wire rack to dry completely. Sprinkle with sliced almonds if desired.

Notes

These Almond Ricotta Cookies can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a week, or in the freezer for up to a month.

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