Description
Delightful orange chocolate chip ricotta cookies showcase Italy’s beloved flavor combination in a perfect sweet treat. Rich, tender cookies blend zesty citrus with rich chocolate, offering a memorable dessert experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 241 grams whole milk ricotta cheese (Galbani brand)
- 113 grams unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
- 200 grams granulated sugar
- 284 grams all-purpose flour
- 165 grams mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tbsps plus 1 tsp orange zest (from 2–3 navel oranges)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 154 grams powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2.5 tbsps fresh orange juice (for glaze)
- 1 tsp orange zest (for glaze, from 1/2 navel orange)
Instructions
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until uniformly blended. Set aside for later integration.
- Using an electric mixer, cream granulated sugar, butter, and orange zest until smooth and fluffy. Periodically scrape mixer bowl sides to ensure even mixing.
- Introduce egg to the creamed mixture, blending thoroughly. Add ricotta cheese and vanilla extract, mixing until completely incorporated.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Gently mix in mini chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution.
- Refrigerate dough for 1-2 hours to reduce stickiness. For faster chilling, place dough in freezer briefly.
- Preheat oven to 350°F during final 20 minutes of dough chilling. Use light-colored baking sheets to prevent burning.
- Scoop dough using a medium cookie scoop onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Space cookies 2 inches apart, keeping remaining dough chilled.
- Bake for 13-14 minutes until cookies are nearly set but not overdone. Look for light golden edges as a doneness indicator.
- Rest cookies on baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling. Repeat baking process with remaining dough.
- Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and additional orange zest until smooth and pourable.
- Drizzle glaze over completely cooled cookies. Allow glaze to set at room temperature for approximately 15-20 minutes before storing.
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container to maintain texture and flavor for up to 3-4 days.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a soft, tender cookie texture during baking.
- Use fresh orange zest for maximum citrusy flavor and avoid dried or pre-packaged zest which can taste less vibrant.
- Consider using room temperature ingredients like butter, egg, and ricotta to help create a smoother, more consistent cookie dough that blends more easily.
- For dietary modifications, swap butter with coconut oil, use gluten-free flour blend, and replace egg with a flax egg to make the recipe more allergen-friendly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 151
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 21 mg