Our Most Saved Holiday Cookie Last Year

Our website features hundreds of cookie recipes, but last year, one recipe was tucked away in the holiday cookie files more than any other. Why? Because it's something different to bring to the party, yet it’s guaranteed to be loved by all.

Just like our most clicked holiday cookie from the newsletter, it's also an Italian classic, but this cookie uses an unexpected ingredient to give it maximum richness and fluffiness: ricotta cheese. 

In our recipe for Ricotta Cookies, the light Italian cheese makes these otherwise basic sugar cookies divine. It gives the dough a light, cake-like texture that's unbelievably soft and airy. Dressed up with a simple glaze and colorful sprinkled, these treats will fly off the dessert table (even if there are eight dozen of them!).

Why We Love Ricotta Cookies 

At first glance, these might look like standard sugar or shortbread cookies, but after you take your first bite, you’ll understand what makes them so beloved.

With the help of ricotta cheese (which also happens to be the secret ingredient in our best lemon cake), this recipe makes the lightest, fluffiest cookies you’ll ever try. The confections don’t spread in the oven, but puff up into round little dough balls with a cloud-like texture. Think the pillowy texture of ricotta gnocchi, but in a sweet and vanilla-flavored treat—”like a little vanilla cake in your mouth,” said user Reba Dee.

These not-too-sweet, perfectly puffed treats melt right in your mouth, but the sprinkles on top offer a delicious crunch. These cookies make the perfect afternoon treat with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk—but, a word of caution, they are far too easy to eat.

These versatile cookies can be enjoyed any time of year with any type of sprinkles, but they’ve been proven to serve as a simple and delectable addition to any holiday dessert spread.

How to Make Ricotta Cookies

These Italian cookies are easy (and even enjoyable) to make, especially when the kids come to help. But, there are a few key things to note before you begin. Starting with: room temperature butter so the butter, ricotta, and sugar can be incorporated easily.

The dough is very sticky—some users add about half a cup more flour to thicken it—but adding a bit of extra flour to your hands for rolling helps with handling and shaping (again, think gnocchi!). Some users think chilling the dough first makes it easier to work with.

Be sure not to make the cookie dough portions too big (stick to a walnut size) or the cookies won’t keep their round shape in the oven and might not cook through in the middle. 

The icing can be made to your liking, whether you want a translucent sheen or a creamy glaze, but don’t let it sit too long before topping with sprinkles—it hardens faster than you’d expect. You can flavor the simple glaze with almond extract, vanilla extract, or even lemon extract like user Deb, who said, “Lemon ricotta cookies just sounded better to me.” Unsurprisingly, “Everyone loved them,” she added.

And, if you have gluten-free guests coming for the holidays, don’t stress. “These can be made gluten-free!!!," one Allrecipes Member shared. “I've made them with King Arthur flour called Measure for Measure. It turned out tasting exactly like the non-gluten version!!! I'm so happy.”

So, go ahead and stash this “family favorite” cookie recipe away in your favorites folder for safekeeping. We have a feeling if you try it once, you’ll be going back to it again and again.

Get the Recipe: Ricotta Cookies