Description
Sweet citrus notes dance through delicate Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies, creating a delightful Italian-inspired treat. Creamy ricotta and zesty orange blend seamlessly with tart cranberries, promising a memorable bite you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon orange extract (or vanilla extract)
Dry Ingredients and Leavening Agents:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1/2 orange (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing vessel, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a light, airy texture and pale color.
- Incorporate ricotta cheese, vibrant orange zest, aromatic orange extract, and a single egg into the butter mixture, blending until completely smooth and homogeneous.
- Gently introduce the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Delicately fold chopped cranberries throughout the dough, distributing them evenly for bursts of tart flavor.
- Wrap the dough and refrigerate for precisely one hour to firm up and enhance flavor melding.
- Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
- Portion the chilled dough using a tablespoon, placing dollops approximately two inches apart to allow spread during baking.
- Bake until cookie edges transform to a delicate golden hue, approximately 12-15 minutes.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling to room temperature.
- Craft a glossy glaze by whisking powdered sugar with fresh orange juice until achieving a silky, pourable consistency.
- Embellish cooled cookies with the citrusy glaze, optionally garnishing with additional fresh orange zest for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Chill the dough for optimal texture and easier handling, preventing cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Substitute dried cranberries with fresh or frozen ones, but pat them dry to prevent excess moisture in the cookie dough.
- For a gluten-free version, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring the same tender cookie consistency.
- Adjust orange extract intensity based on personal preference, using less for a subtle citrus hint or more for a bold orange flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg