Ricotta Cookies
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Homemade ricotta cookies are an Easter tradition in my family. This is a light, healthy dessert recipe with a delicious flavor.
I married into a family with many food traditions. They often revolve around cookies, so it’s a great fit for me.
These ricotta cookies are always on the table at Easter. There’s a serious rivalry going on between the coconut fans and the non-coconut fans. These cookies are generally served with a buttercream frosting, but I actually prefer them without the frosting. And as you’ll see in the recipe, I’m on Team Coconut.
This month’s Recipe Redux theme is “cooking once, eating twice.” I like to make my own ricotta, and I try to make a big batch so I can use the extras for something else. For example, I may use some in a pasta dish, and then the leftovers go into pancakes or cookies.
And for the record, don’t be impressed that I make homemade ricotta. It’s SO easy to make, and it costs a fraction of what you’d pay for the packaged version.
Ricotta Cookie Tips
I tweaked the family ricotta cookie recipe here by cutting back on the sugar a little and using maple syrup instead of white sugar. This recipe uses gluten-free flour, but you can substitute white whole wheat flour if you prefer. And feel free to frost them with your favorite buttercream or lemon frosting.
These cake-like ricotta cookies are a delicious, not-too-sweet dessert that disappears quickly in my house.
Ricotta Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 2 cups gluten-free flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 tbs maple syrup
- 2 tbs shredded unsweetened coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter. Add the maple syrup, ricotta, egg, and vanilla extract, and mix until well-combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and mix until all the flour is incorporated.
- Drop by heaping tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the bottoms are lightly browned.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, brush the cookies with a thin coat of maple syrup. Then sprinkle the cookies with shredded coconut. (Yield: 40 cookies)
Nutrition
Ricotta Cookies Price Breakdown
This recipe costs a total of $6.21 to make, or $.31 per serving (2 cookies). These homemade ricotta cookies are a delicious, healthy treat to celebrate any occasion.
I googled leftover ricotta recipes and came across this one. I just finished making them and they are soooo good and guilt free
So glad you liked them!
I just made ricotta for the first time. I’m hooked. Now gotta make your cookies! (:
Isn’t it so easy, Serena! These cookies are a great way to use the leftover ricotta.
These cookies look like my kind of cookie – soft, chewy, and delicious!
Annemarie,
I like a cookie tradition, what a great one to pass down!
I was making ricotta when milk was abundant (and I could pick up several gallons marked down) but there’s been a shortage of milk for the past few months and I’m paying full price nearly each time. When your teens go through a gallon in about 30 hours it adds up!
I’m saving this recipe, because next time I make ricotta I will make these. They look terrific.
Oh, and team coconut ForTheWin!
Thanks!
Team coconut all the way! Love hearing about your family tradition 🙂
Thanks, Julie! Of course Team Coconut, right?
Yep. I’m definitely going to make homemade ricotta. And then with the leftovers I’m making these cookies. You have me sold 🙂
I look forward to hearing how it goes!
I love the idea of ricotta in cookies, but even more than that, I love the idea of making my own ricotta cheese. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks, Katy! I hope you try it. 🙂
Yummy! 😀 I’ve never tried making cookies with ricotta before! *-*
Thanks for convincing me to try making ricotta at home. I had no idea it was so easy to make. These cookies look light and delicious!
Yay, Marisa! I’m so glad you’re going to try homemade ricotta. Let me know how it goes.
These cookies look delicious! The perfect Easter cookie 🙂 I love incorporating ricotta into dishes and need to do it more often!
Thanks, Alanna! I love the texture you get from adding ricotta to recipes.