These Italian Ricotta Cookies are soft, moist, and bursting with flavor.
Topped with a sweet almond glaze and colorful sprinkles (codette), they’re a perfect treat for holidays, parties, or any special occasion.
With their tender texture and delightful sweetness, they’re destined to become a family favorite!
Why Nonna Suggests This Recipe
- Soft and Moist: The ricotta makes these cookies incredibly tender and light.
- Perfectly Sweet: The almond glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Festive and Fun: Sprinkles make these cookies ideal for celebrations.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and a quick baking time make this recipe accessible to all bakers.
- Timeless Classic: Nonna loves how these cookies bring a touch of Italian tradition to any occasion.
DOWNLOAD PDF OF RICOTTA COOKIES RECIPE HERE:
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Baking Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: About 60 cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 sticks (½ lb./225 g) butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 container (15 oz/425 g) ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
For the Almond Glaze:
- 4–5 tbsp milk
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
For Garnish:
- Colorful sprinkles (codette)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, ricotta cheese, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
2. Shape and Bake:
- Roll or scoop teaspoon-sized balls of dough and place them on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Make the Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, powdered sugar, and almond extract until smooth and glossy.
4. Glaze and Decorate:
- Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, letting the excess drip off.
- Place the cookies back upright on the wire rack and immediately garnish with sprinkles.
- Repeat the process with the remaining cookies. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Nutritional Facts (Per Cookie)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 50 mg |
Tips by Nonna
- Use Fresh Ricotta: Fresh ricotta ensures the cookies stay moist and flavorful.
- Customize the Flavor: Substitute almond extract in the glaze with lemon or orange extract for a citrusy twist.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough feels too sticky to handle, refrigerate it for 15–20 minutes before shaping.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Holiday Variations: Use seasonal sprinkles to adapt these cookies for any holiday or celebration.

Nonna's Ricotta Cookies
These Italian Ricotta Cookies are soft, moist, and bursting with flavor. Topped with a sweet almond glaze and colorful sprinkles (codette), they’re a perfect treat for holidays, parties, or any special occasion. With their tender texture and delightful sweetness, they’re destined to become a family favorite!
Notes
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 2 sticks (½ lb./225 g) butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 container (15 oz/425 g) ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
For the Almond Glaze:
- 4–5 tbsp milk
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp almond extract
For Garnish:
- Colorful sprinkles (codette)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs, ricotta cheese, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
2. Shape and Bake:
- Roll or scoop teaspoon-sized balls of dough and place them on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Make the Glaze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, powdered sugar, and almond extract until smooth and glossy.
4. Glaze and Decorate:
- Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, letting the excess drip off.
- Place the cookies back upright on the wire rack and immediately garnish with sprinkles.
- Repeat the process with the remaining cookies. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Sharing & Print





1 Comment
Linda
2026-02-17 at 8:03 pmCiao!
These cookies are delish. I haven’t even dipped them in the glaze yet!
Great recipe, thank you.