Soft Ricotta Cookies with White Buttercream Icing for any occasion
If you love cookies that are soft, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, these Ricotta Cookies are about to become a staple in your kitchen. Made with rich ricotta cheese and topped with a simple white buttercream icing, these cookies have a delicate cake-like texture that stays moist for days.
Ricotta cookies are a classic Italian-inspired dessert, often made for holidays like Christmas, Easter, and weddings and baby showers. But they’re simple enough to enjoy year-round. Whether you decorate them with sprinkles for a festive tray or leave them beautifully plain with a smooth buttercream topping, these cookies are the perfect treat to take to any occasion.
This Ricotta Cookie recipe reminds me of those fluffy sugar cookies you can buy prepackaged at the grocery store. You know what I’m talking about right? The white cookies with colored frosting and sprinkles in the bakery section?! These are like that, but better!
This recipe is one I come back to again and again because it’s reliable, easy to make, and always a crowd-pleaser. If you’ve never baked with ricotta before, don’t worry, I’ll walk you through the recipe, its super easy!
Scroll down for the recipe card, followed by detailed step-by-step instructions (with photos).
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An Old-Fashioned Ricotta Cookie Recipe Worth Saving
Ricotta cheese is the secret ingredient that gives these cookies their signature texture. Unlike cream cheese or sour cream, ricotta adds moisture without making the dough heavy.
Instead of spreading thin and crisp, ricotta cookies bake up soft, almost like a sugar cookie!
Here is an old fashioned recipe from a stained and well used hand written recipe from my recipe collection.
Ricotta Cookies Recipe
Ricotta Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb butter, softened 2 sticks
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 lb ricotta cheese whole milk preferred, 16 oz
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
White Buttercream Icing
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 3 –4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 –4 tablespoons milk as needed for consistency
- Optional: sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add ricotta cheese and vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cookies are set and bottoms are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before icing.
White Buttercream Icing
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well.
- Add vanilla extract and milk, one tablespoon at a time, until icing reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Spread icing over cooled cookies and top with sprinkles if desired.
- Allow icing to set before storing.
Notes
- Drain ricotta cheese slightly if very wet to prevent excess moisture in the dough.
- These cookies are meant to be soft and cake-like, not browned. ( They remind me of a soft sugar cookie, but better!)
- Store iced cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days or refrigerate for longer storage.
- Cookies freeze well without icing for up to 2 months.
Why You’ll Love These Ricotta Cookies
These cookies are different from traditional sugar cookies in the best way possible.
- Ultra soft and pillowy thanks to ricotta cheese
- Not overly sweet, making them perfect with coffee or tea
- Hold their moisture for several days
- Easy to dress up with sprinkles or flavor variations
- Ideal for holidays, baby showers, bridal showers, and cookie trays
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples, which makes it perfect if you need to make something quick!
Ricotta Cookies
- Butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Ricotta cheese (whole milk is best)
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
White Buttercream Icing
- Butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
How to Make Ricotta Cookies (Step-by-Step)
Ricotta cookie dough comes together quickly and doesn’t require chilling.
1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps create a soft texture.
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Mix in ricotta cheese and vanilla until smooth and fully incorporated.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
5. Gently combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing just until no flour remains.
6. Scoop dough onto lined baking sheets.
7. Bake just until set—do not overbake. The cookies should stay pale with lightly golden bottoms.
8. Cool completely before icing.
9. Ricotta cookies should never look deeply golden on top. If they do, they’ve baked too long.
White Buttercream Icing for Ricotta Cookies
Unlike a thin glaze, this white buttercream icing adds a soft, creamy finish that complements the cake-like texture of the cookie.
It spreads easily and sets just enough to stack the cookies without smearing, perfect for cookie trays and gifting.
If you prefer a thinner glaze, you can reduce the powdered sugar and add a little extra milk, but buttercream gives these cookies a classic bakery-style look.
Decorating Ricotta Cookies
Ricotta cookies are often topped with colorful sprinkles, especially for holidays. Here are a few decorating ideas:
- Pastel sprinkles for Easter or baby showers
- Red and green nonpareils for Christmas
- White sanding sugar for a simple, elegant finish
- Lemon zest mixed into the icing for a bright finish
These cookies are like a blank canvas, you can adapt them to any season, holiday or special occasion.
Storage Tips
One of the best things about ricotta cookies is how well they store.
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Refrigerator: Up to 1 week
- Freezer: Freeze cookies without icing for up to 2 months
If freezing, thaw completely and ice before serving for best texture
Flavor Variations to Try
Once you master the base recipe, it’s easy to customize.
- Lemon Ricotta Cookies: Add 1–2 tablespoons lemon zest and swap vanilla icing for lemon icing
- Almond Ricotta Cookies: Replace vanilla with almond extract
- Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies: Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough
- Orange Ricotta Cookies: Add orange zest and a splash of orange extract
These variations are especially popular during the holidays when your cookie trays need variety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ricotta Cookies
Yes! Ricotta cookies freeze very well. For best results, freeze them without icing. Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and ice before serving.
Ricotta cheese adds moisture and creates a soft, tender texture without making cookies dense. It helps the cookies stay fresh longer and gives them a cake-like crumb that’s different from traditional sugar cookies.
No. Ricotta has a very mild flavor, and once baked, it doesn’t taste cheesy at all. Instead, it enhances the texture while allowing vanilla and butter flavors to shine.
You can, but whole milk ricotta is recommended. Part-skim ricotta contains less fat, which can result in slightly drier cookies.
Flat cookies are usually caused by overmixing the dough or using ricotta with too much moisture. Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and gently mix the dough just until combined.
They don’t have to be, but refrigeration will extend freshness. If your kitchen is warm or the cookies are heavily iced, refrigeration is a good idea.
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Ricotta cookies are one of those old-fashioned recipes that never go out of style. They’re soft, simple, and comforting, exactly the kind of treat that belongs on a family table or a holiday dessert spread.
Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want a cookie that stays tender for days, this ricotta cookie recipe delivers every time.
