The Best Ina Garten Lemon Ricotta Cookies Recipe You’ll Love

Lemon ricotta cookies dance with bright, tangy elegance, transforming ordinary dessert moments into something magical.

Citrus-infused and wonderfully soft, these delicate treats bring sunshine to any gathering.

Light and tender, the cookies crumble gently with each delightful bite.

Rich ricotta cheese creates a luxurious, velvety texture that melts on your tongue.

Mediterranean-inspired flavors burst through with zesty lemon notes that awaken the senses.

Subtle sweetness balances the bright citrus, creating a harmonious culinary experience.

Baking these cookies fills your kitchen with an irresistible, fresh aroma that promises pure deliciousness: get ready to fall in love with this irresistible recipe.

Why Ina Garten Lemon Ricotta Cookies Taste So Fresh

• Burst with Bright Citrus Flavor: These cookies pack a zesty punch with fresh lemon juice and zest, creating a vibrant taste that dances on your tongue and wakes up your senses.
• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Soft Texture: The ricotta cheese transforms these cookies into incredibly tender, cloud-like treats that practically dissolve with each delightful bite.
• Quick and Easy Baking Project: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe requires simple ingredients and minimal preparation, allowing you to whip up delicious cookies in under an hour from start to finish.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: These cookies shine at brunch gatherings, afternoon tea parties, or as a sweet ending to any meal, making them a go-to recipe for multiple occasions.

What You Need for Lemon Ricotta Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the soft, tender cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter: Adds richness and creates a smooth, creamy texture in the cookies.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the cookie's golden color.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creates a soft, tender texture and adds a subtle creamy flavor.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Brings bright, fresh citrus flavor and aroma to the cookies.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze that hardens when dried.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Adds tangy citrus flavor to the glaze and complements the cookie's taste.

How to Bake Lemon Ricotta Cookies the Ina Way

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring even coverage.

Step 2: Create Dry Ingredient Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk together and set aside.

Step 3: Craft Cookie Batter

• Ricotta cheese
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Gently fold in dry ingredient mixture until just combined.

Step 4: Shape and Bake Cookies

Scoop cookie dough using a tablespoon, placing rounded portions onto prepared baking sheets. Space cookies evenly. Bake for 15-17 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Step 5: Cool Cookie Batch

Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheets for 20 minutes. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 6: Prepare Zesty Lemon Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest

Stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 7: Glaze and Finish Cookies

Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies using back of spoon. Allow glaze to set for 2 hours. Store in airtight container.

Tips to Get That Soft, Bright Texture

• Zest Like a Pro: Grate only the yellow part of the lemon to avoid bitter white pith, maximizing pure citrus flavor.
• Drain Ricotta Thoroughly: Place ricotta in a fine-mesh strainer for 30 minutes to remove excess liquid, ensuring perfectly textured cookies.
• Gentle Mixing Matters: Stir ingredients until just combined to keep cookies soft and tender, preventing tough, dense results.
• Chill for Easy Handling: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes if too sticky, making it simple to scoop and shape without frustration.
• Golden Edge Perfection: Watch cookies closely in the oven, pulling them out when edges turn light golden for that ideal soft-yet-crisp texture.

Storing Lemon Ricotta Cookies Just Right

• Freezer Method: Seal cookies individually in parchment paper, then stack inside a freezer-safe container. Prevent freezer burn by removing excess air before sealing. Frozen cookies maintain their delightful texture for up to 3 months, making them perfect for advance party prep or unexpected guest surprises.
• Layering Technique: Create cookie layers separated by wax paper or parchment sheets inside airtight containers. This prevents delicate glazed surfaces from sticking together, preserving their beautiful appearance and pristine texture. Carefully stack cookies to maximize storage space without compromising their delicate design.
• Moisture Control: Place a small piece of bread inside the storage container to absorb excess moisture. The bread slice acts like a humidity regulator, keeping cookies soft and preventing them from becoming stale or crispy.

Flavor Variations for Ricotta Cookie Fans

• Lavender Bliss Cookies: Swap lemon zest with dried lavender flowers, creating a fragrant and elegant cookie with subtle floral notes. The lavender adds a soft, sophisticated touch to the classic ricotta base.
• Orange Almond Sensation: Replace lemon juice and zest with fresh orange juice and zest, then fold in toasted sliced almonds for extra crunch and nutty flavor. Glaze with orange-infused powdered sugar for a bright, citrusy finish.
• Chocolate Chip Ricotta Dream: Gently fold in mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough before baking, transforming the original recipe into a rich, indulgent treat. Drizzle with a light chocolate glaze instead of the lemon version for deep, decadent flavor.
• Raspberry Cream Cookies: Mix in finely chopped fresh raspberries into the dough and create a raspberry-infused glaze by adding raspberry puree to the powdered sugar. This variation brings a beautiful pink color and tart, fruity essence to the classic cookie.

Final Crumbs of Lemon Ricotta Cookie Goodness

Sweet lemon ricotta cookies invite pure culinary delight with their delicate, zesty charm.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into heavenly bites of pure pleasure.

Mediterranean sunshine dances through each tender morsel, promising refreshing brightness.

Silky ricotta creates unparalleled softness while crisp lemon notes awaken palate memories.

Kitchen magic happens when butter, sugar, and citrus unite in perfect harmony.

Friends and family will crave these irresistible treats – so snap a photo, share this delightful recipe on social media, spark conversation, and watch deliciousness spread like wildfire.