Cake like super soft Italian-inspired cookies with creamy ricotta and a hint of orange. Drizzled with irresistible maple glaze.

If you love unique cookies, try our sesame coconut butter cookies.

orange ricotta cookies

Orange Ricotta Cookies

These orange ricotta cookies are so different from anything I’ve ever had before. Ricotta cookies are a popular Italian dessert, usually flavored with lemon and drizzled with a glaze.

I put my own spin on these and added fresh orange juice and drizzled them with super creamy and luscious maple glaze.  

The cookies have a soft cake-like texture. Ricotta makes them super soft and fresh orange juice adds a wonderful flavor. Not to mention the most irresistible maple glaze. You will want to eat that stuff by a spoonful!

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make these Italian ricotta orange cookies:

  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • kosher salt
  • unsalted butter
  • sugar
  • eggs
  • ricotta cheese
  • fresh orange juice
  • orange zest
ingredients for orange ricotta cookies

How to Make Orange Ricotta Cookies

  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Add ricotta, orange juice, and orange zest.
  • With a wooden spoon, gradually stir in the dry ingredients.
  • Scoop dough out by a heaping tablespoon onto a parchment-lined baking sheet 1 1/2 inches apart.
  • Bake in a preheated 375F oven for 12-15 minutes. Remove onto a cooling rack to cool completely before icing.
italian ricotta orange cookies

Maple Glaze for Cookies

While the cookies are cooling, make the maple glaze. It is very easy to make with only four ingredients!

  • unsalted butter
  • pure maple syrup
  • heavy cream
  • powdered sugar

Melt the butter either in a microwave or on the stovetop. Cool slightly and then stir together with the maple syrup and cream. Whisk in the powdered sugar until creamy and smooth.

Drizzle the glaze onto the cooled cookies. If desired, garnish with orange zest.

maple glaze for cookies

How to Store

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

italian orange ricotta cookies

More Delicious Desserts to Try

ricotta cookies
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Orange Ricotta Cookies with Maple Glaze - cake like cookies with creamy ricotta and hint of orange. Drizzled with luscious maple glaze | littlebroken.com @littlebroken

Orange Ricotta Cookies with Maple Glaze

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  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
  • Yield: 32 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Cake like super soft Italian-inspired cookies with creamy ricotta and a hint of orange. Drizzled with irresistible maple glaze.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 (15 oz.) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh orange juice (approx from 1 medium orange)
  • 1 tsp. orange zest, plus extra for garnish

Maple Glaze

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  3. In a large clean bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, orange juice, and orange zest. Beat to combine. With a wooden spoon, gradually stir in the dry ingredients. Do not overmix!
  4. Spoon the dough by a heaping tablespoon 1 1/2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
  5. Bake for 12-15 minutes on the middle rack, until slightly golden at the edges.
  6. Remove from the oven and onto a wire rack. Cool completely.
  7. Drizzle with Maple Glaze. Garnish with orange zest.

Maple Glaze

  1. Stir together melted butter, syrup, and cream. Whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.

Notes

  • Storing Cookies: Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
  • cookie recipe lightly adapted from the Food Network

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 168
  • Sugar: 14.9 g
  • Sodium: 38.6 mg
  • Fat: 7.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23.3 g
  • Protein: 3.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 32 mg