Like cakey, melt-in-the-mouth sugar cookies bursting with lemony flavor, classic ricotta cookies are a simple, crowd-pleasing treat. 

Lemon Ricotta Cookies Recipe: Tips for Making Ricotta Cookies

Ricotta cookies are an Italian dessert consisting of whole-milk ricotta cheese, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and a top glaze with colorful sprinkles. The cookie’s star ingredient, ricotta, is a fresh, soft, white cheese made from cow’s milk and leftover whey that can withstand direct heat without melting. This quality makes it a great option for baked goods like cannoli, [cheesecake](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cheesecake-recipe), and cookies, where it imparts a tender, fluffy texture. 

One of the most popular ways to flavor ricotta cookies is with lemon juice and [lemon zest](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-zest-a-lemon-easy-lemon-zest-recipe-ideas), though anise extract is traditional.   
Thanks to the combination of eggs, butter, and cheese, Italian ricotta cookies are both delicate and rich. Consider these tips before making your next batch:

1. __Using basket ricotta__: The ricotta you use for this recipe should be lightweight, fluffy, and not overly watery. For the best results, use basket ricotta, which producers make by placing the curds in a special basket mold to drain naturally.  
2. __Flavoring the glaze__: A top glaze is a perfect way to accent the bright citrus notes of lemon ricotta cookies. Use fruits like blueberries or cranberries, floral extracts like [lavender](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-lavender-plus-10-recipes-that-use-culinary-lavender) or rose, and warm spices like anise, [cardamom](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-cardamom-benefits-and-uses-of-cardamom-spice), ginger, or [poppy seed](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poppy-seed-filling).
3. __Storing ricotta cookies__: Store ricotta cookies in an airtight container separated by a layer of parchment paper to protect the icing. 
Like cakey, melt-in-the-mouth sugar cookies bursting with lemony flavor, classic ricotta cookies are a simple, crowd-pleasing treat. 

Ricotta cookies are an Italian dessert consisting of whole-milk ricotta cheese, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and a top glaze with colorful sprinkles. The cookie’s star ingredient, ricotta, is a fresh, soft, white cheese made from cow’s milk and leftover whey that can withstand direct heat without melting. This quality makes it a great option for baked goods like cannoli, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cheesecake-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cheesecake-recipe","linkCopy":"cheesecake","category":null}'>cheesecake</a>, and cookies, where it imparts a tender, fluffy texture. One of the most popular ways to flavor ricotta cookies is with lemon juice and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-zest-a-lemon-easy-lemon-zest-recipe-ideas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-zest-a-lemon-easy-lemon-zest-recipe-ideas","linkCopy":"lemon zest","category":null}'>lemon zest</a>, though anise extract is traditional.

What Are Ricotta Cookies?

Thanks to the combination of eggs, butter, and cheese, Italian ricotta cookies are both delicate and rich. Consider these tips before making your next batch:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Using basket ricotta: The ricotta you use for this recipe should be lightweight, fluffy, and not overly watery. For the best results, use basket ricotta, which producers make by placing the curds in a special basket mold to drain naturally. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Flavoring the glaze: A top glaze is a perfect way to accent the bright citrus notes of lemon ricotta cookies. Use fruits like blueberries or cranberries, floral extracts like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-lavender-plus-10-recipes-that-use-culinary-lavender' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-lavender-plus-10-recipes-that-use-culinary-lavender","linkCopy":"lavender","category":null}'>lavender</a> or rose, and warm spices like anise, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-cardamom-benefits-and-uses-of-cardamom-spice' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-cardamom-benefits-and-uses-of-cardamom-spice","linkCopy":"cardamom","category":null}'>cardamom</a>, ginger, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poppy-seed-filling' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poppy-seed-filling","linkCopy":"poppy seed","category":null}'>poppy seed</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Storing ricotta cookies: Store ricotta cookies in an airtight container separated by a layer of parchment paper to protect the icing. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Making Ricotta Cookies

Lemon Ricotta Cookies Recipe

Like cakey, melt-in-the-mouth sugar cookies bursting with lemony flavor, classic ricotta cookies are a simple, crowd-pleasing treat.

Like cakey, melt-in-the-mouth sugar cookies bursting with lemony flavor, classic ricotta cookies are a simple, crowd-pleasing treat. 
