The Zesty Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies Recipe You’ll Love

Sweet memories dance around these delightful orange cranberry ricotta cookies that blend tangy fruit with creamy cheese.

Soft clouds of delicate texture melt across your palate with unexpected brightness.

Italian bakeries inspired this magical combination of bright citrus and tart berries.

Ricotta brings incredible moisture and tender crumb to each perfect bite.

Delicate golden edges hint at the deliciousness waiting inside each cookie.

Crisp winter afternoons feel magical when these treats emerge from your oven.

You’ll find these cookies spark pure joy and create delicious moments to savor.

Cookies That Balance Cranberry Tart with Orange Sweetness

• Burst with Flavor: Enjoy a delightful fusion of tangy orange and sweet cranberries that dance on your taste buds with every bite.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe offers simple steps and minimal complex techniques, making cookie creation a breeze.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for casual gatherings, holiday parties, or a cozy afternoon treat that appeals to both kids and adults with its soft texture and bright flavors.
• Quick Comfort Dessert: Whip up these cookies in under an hour, transforming simple ingredients into a homemade delicacy that feels both comforting and elegant.

Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies What Goes In

• Butter: Soft and creamy base for cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
• Ricotta Cheese: Provides moisture and soft texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor.
• Orange Zest: Adds bright citrus notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Main structural component of cookies.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise.
• Baking Soda: Supports leavening process.
• Salt: Balances sweetness.

• Dried Cranberries: Provides tart bursts of flavor.

• Powdered Sugar, Orange Juice: Creates smooth, citrusy topping.

Baking Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies Step by Step

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for a perfect cookie-baking adventure.

Step 2: Create A Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip together softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and dreamy.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Ricotta cheese
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Orange zest

Mix until everything looks smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 5: Combine Everything

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined. Gently mix in dried cranberries for bursts of tangy flavor.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Drops

Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Slide the tray into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges. The centers might seem soft, but they’ll firm up while cooling.

Step 8: Whip Up Zesty Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and fresh orange juice until you have a silky, smooth glaze.

Step 9: Finish With Flair

Once cookies are completely cool, drizzle the vibrant orange glaze over the top, creating a beautiful, tangy finish.

Cookie Tips That Perfect Orange Cranberry Ricotta Flavor

• Boost Citrus Flavor: Zest an extra orange to intensify the bright, fresh orange notes in the cookies for a more vibrant taste.
• Prevent Cranberry Sinking: Toss dried cranberries in a little flour before folding into the dough to prevent them from settling at the bottom of the cookies.
• Achieve Perfect Texture: Let ricotta come to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smoother, more uniform cookie dough consistency.
• Control Cookie Spread: Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to help maintain the cookies' shape and prevent excessive spreading.
• Make Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate those with gluten sensitivities.

Save Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies Properly

• Store cookies in an airtight container with wax paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keeps cookies soft and prevents sticking.
• Scoop cookie dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Store up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to original baking time.
• Layer glazed cookies between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving.
• Warm individual cookies on a microwave-safe plate for 10-15 seconds. Check carefully to prevent overcooking and maintain soft texture.

Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies Snack Matches

• Zesty Orange Liqueur Pairing: Complement the bright citrus notes of the cookies with a chilled shot of Grand Marnier or Cointreau, enhancing the orange zest and creating a delightful flavor harmony.
• Creamy Cappuccino Match: Balance the sweet and tangy cookie with a rich, frothy cappuccino that highlights the ricotta's creamy texture and provides a warm, comforting contrast.
• Sparkling White Wine Selection: Choose a crisp Prosecco or Moscato d'Asti to cut through the cookie's sweetness, its effervescence and light fruity undertones perfectly echoing the cranberry and orange flavors.
• Vanilla Bean Tea Companion: Brew a smooth vanilla bean tea that softens the cookie's citrusy punch while adding a gentle, aromatic backdrop that elevates the overall tasting experience.

Orange Cranberry Cookie Flavor Takes

• Gluten-Free Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the soft, tangy texture.
• Vegan Orange Cranberry Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of chicken egg, and select dairy-free ricotta to craft a plant-based alternative that's equally delicious.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and reduce the glaze's powdered sugar content to create a more diabetic-friendly cookie without sacrificing flavor.
• Zesty Lemon Variation: Interchange orange zest with lemon zest and use lemon juice in the glaze for a bright, citrusy spin on the original recipe that adds a refreshing kick.

FAQs

• Are these cookies soft or crispy?

These cookies are soft and cake-like, with a tender crumb that melts in your mouth. The ricotta cheese helps create a delicate, moist texture that’s different from traditional crisp cookies.

• Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?

No, dried cranberries work best for this recipe. Fresh cranberries would add too much moisture and might make the cookies too wet or change the texture. Dried cranberries provide the right amount of tartness and texture.

• Do I need to refrigerate the ricotta before using?

Let the ricotta come to room temperature before mixing. Cold ricotta can create lumps in the dough, while room temperature ricotta blends smoothly and helps create a more uniform cookie texture.

• How can I tell if the cookies are done baking?

Look for lightly golden edges and centers that might seem slightly underbaked. They’ll continue to set as they cool, so don’t overbake. The cookies should look soft and puffy when you remove them from the oven.

Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet orange zest dances through these Ricotta Cookies, blending tangy cranberries with creamy Italian cheese. Festive holiday treats promise delightful moments shared with loved ones who crave comforting, zesty bites.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh orange juice (for glaze)

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar (for glaze)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the kitchen workspace by positioning the oven rack in the center and warming the oven to 350°F, then line a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cookie placement.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously blend softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth foundation for the cookie dough.
3. Incorporate ricotta cheese, a single egg, fragrant vanilla extract, and bright orange zest into the butter mixture, stirring until the ingredients harmonize into a creamy consistency.
4. Separately, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, ensuring a uniform dry ingredient blend that will provide structure to the cookies.
5. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the ricotta mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender texture, then delicately integrate dried cranberries throughout the dough.
6. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, deposit rounded mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, maintaining approximately two inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading.
7. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for a subtle golden edge while understanding the centers will continue setting during cooling.
8. While cookies cool completely, whisk powdered sugar and fresh orange juice into a smooth, glossy glaze that will add a bright, citrusy finish.
9. Once cookies have reached room temperature, elegantly drizzle the orange glaze across the surface, creating an inviting and professional presentation.

Notes

• Keep ricotta at room temperature to ensure smoother blending and a softer cookie texture.
• Use fresh orange zest for the most vibrant citrus flavor, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
• Pat dried cranberries dry before adding to prevent excess moisture in the dough, ensuring better cookie consistency.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 146
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 62 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg