Name: Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 21 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter softened; 2 cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon almond extract; 1 cup whole milk ricotta drained for about an hour; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2-4 tablespoons milk; ½ teaspoon almond extract; Christmas sprinkles for topping

There’s something so cozy about these soft, tender treats that just screams holiday cheer. The Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe combines creamy ricotta with bright almond glaze—giving you a perfect balance of richness and subtle sweetness that makes it a festive classic worth baking every year.

A white plate is filled with round, pale yellow cookies, each topped with colorful red, green, and white round and Christmas tree-shaped sprinkles, giving a festive look. One cookie is broken in half, showing a soft and crumbly inside with a slightly glossy coating on the outside. The cookies are clustered closely together on a white marbled surface, highlighting their smooth texture and sprinkled tops. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This isn’t your average sugar cookie—adding ricotta makes these cookies incredibly moist and tender, while the almond glaze gives just the right touch of nutty flavor. Every bite feels like a little celebration, and I love how easy they are to make even with little hands helping out.

Rich and Moist Texture: Thanks to ricotta, these cookies stay soft and melt in your mouth, unlike typical dry cookies.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavors: Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen, but the combination is far from ordinary.
Festive and Fun: The almond glaze with sprinkles tops these cookies with a charming holiday sparkle everyone will enjoy.
Perfect for Gifting: These cookies look beautiful and taste so good that they make delightful homemade gifts.

A white plate holds a pile of small round cookies with a light yellow base. Each cookie has a smooth white icing layer on top that is slightly dripping over the edges. The icing is decorated with tiny red, green, and white sprinkle balls and discs scattered unevenly across the surface. The cookies are stacked in a casual way, creating a soft mound with some cookies leaning on each other. The white marbled texture underneath adds a clean, bright contrast to the colorful top of the cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic here is in the balance of classic cookie ingredients with ricotta cheese, which brings moisture and richness without making the dough heavy. Using almond extract highlights that lovely nutty flavor for the holidays, and the combination of baking powder and baking soda ensures a perfect rise and soft crumb.

Flat lay of a small mound of unsalted butter with a smooth surface, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl filled with fresh whole milk ricotta cheese, a neat pile of all-purpose flour dusted lightly on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of granulated sugar with fine crystals visible, a small white bowl containing powdered sugar with a soft powdery texture, a small white bowl with clear milk, a tiny white bowl holding pale vanilla extract liquid, a tiny white bowl of almond extract liquid, a few teaspoons of baking powder and baking soda as small white powders on a simple white ceramic dish, a pinch of salt crystal on a white ceramic spoon-shaped dish, and a scattering of colorful Christmas sprinkles arranged neatly beside the bowls, all ingredients fresh and natural, perfectly symmetrical and balanced layout, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is your base for tender, buttery cookies—make sure it’s not melted or cold for the best texture.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps with the cookie’s structure when creamed with butter.
Large Eggs: Bind the dough and add moisture; room temperature eggs work best here.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, familiar flavor that rounds out the cookie’s profile.
Almond Extract: The star of the show in the glaze and dough, giving that characteristic festive flavor.
Ricotta Cheese: Whole milk ricotta drained well adds richness and makes these cookies tender and moist without oilyness.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, so opt for fresh flour to ensure a light crumb.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners work together to gently puff up the cookies and keep them soft.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Powdered Sugar: For the glaze, giving it that silky smooth finish.
Milk: Adjust the glaze consistency for perfect dip-ability.
Christmas Sprinkles: Make these cookies festive with colorful, fun toppings that add a playful crunch.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’ve played around with a few twists on this Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe over the years. Sometimes I swap the almond extract for lemon zest for a brighter zing that’s just as delightful. You can also dip these in melted dark chocolate instead of glaze if you want to jazz things up for a party.

Lemon Variation: Adding lemon zest to the dough instead of almond extract makes for a fresh, citrusy bite—perfect if you’re not an almond fan.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend and check your baking powder to be gluten-free for a friendly holiday treat.
Chocolate Dip: Melt some dark or white chocolate to dip the cooled cookies for an elegant twist.
Sprinkles Substitute: Try crushed pistachios or toasted coconut flakes for a unique finish if you want to avoid traditional sprinkles.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by beating softened butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Go medium-high for about 3 minutes—you want it light and fluffy. This step is key for a tender cookie, so don’t rush it! The mixture should look pale and airy before moving on.

Step 2: Add Eggs, Ricotta, and Extracts

Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the ricotta (drained for about an hour so it’s not too wet), vanilla, and almond extracts. Mix until everything is combined but try not to overmix to keep the dough tender.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring on low speed until just combined. The dough should be soft but not sticky—if too sticky, add a bit more flour.

Step 4: Scoop, Roll, and Bake

Scoop teaspoon-sized amounts of dough and roll them gently into balls. Place each on a parchment-lined baking sheet with about 2 inches between them because they’ll spread just a little. Bake at 375°F for 9 to 11 minutes—don’t overbake; the edges should just be turning golden.

Step 5: Prepare the Almond Glaze and Decorate

While the cookies cool slightly on the baking sheet, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and almond extract until smooth. Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze and quickly add your Christmas sprinkles. Let them sit until the glaze hardens—this usually takes about 15 minutes.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make these Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe absolutely foolproof and extra delicious. These tips will save you from some common pitfalls and elevate your cookie game.

Drain Ricotta Well: Excess moisture is the cookie’s enemy. Let ricotta drain in a fine sieve or cheesecloth for about an hour before using—it keeps the dough from being soggy.
Don’t Skip the Almond Extract: Even a little almond extract adds that festive, nutty note that defines these cookies. A perfect pinch goes a long way.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs and butter at room temp blend more evenly, so your dough comes together smoothly and bakes with an even texture.
Timing the Bake: Keep a close eye during baking—take cookies out just when the edges start to turn golden to maintain softness.

How to Serve Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe

Italian Ricotta Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping mine with classic red and green Christmas sprinkles because it brings that vibrant holiday spirit to the plate. Sometimes I mix in edible glitter or finely chopped pistachios for an elegant twist. It’s all about making them feel extra special (and deliciously inviting!).

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect alongside a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine. They also pair nicely with a fresh fruit salad during brunch or a simple espresso for an afternoon treat. The sweet, soft cookie contrasts beautifully with bold coffee flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these cookies on a festive platter dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled lightly with extra almond glaze. Tying small stacks with a colorful ribbon makes a charming edible gift. You can also serve them in clear jars to showcase their beauty.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They keep soft and fresh thanks to the ricotta, and if the glaze gets sticky, a quick refrigerator chill tightens it back up.

Freezing

If I want to freeze these, I do it before glazing. I freeze the cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. When ready, just bake and glaze fresh—this keeps them tasting bakery-fresh any time.

Reheating

For a warm cookie experience, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This softens the cookie and slightly refreshes the glaze’s shine without melting or cracking it.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use low-fat ricotta for this recipe?

Using whole milk ricotta is best because it keeps the cookies moist and tender. Low-fat versions tend to be drier, which can affect the texture. If you only have low-fat ricotta, just make sure it's well drained and maybe add a tablespoon of milk or oil to compensate.

Why do the cookies need both baking powder and baking soda?

Baking powder and baking soda work together to provide a balanced rise and tenderness. Baking soda reacts with the acidic ricotta creating lift, while baking powder boosts the overall rise without affecting flavor. This combo results in soft, airy cookies.

Can I make these cookies without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can cream the butter and sugar with a hand mixer or even by hand using a wooden spoon. It’ll take a bit longer to get that fluffy texture, but it’s doable. Just make sure to mix well enough to incorporate enough air for a light cookie.

How should I store the glazed cookies to keep the icing from melting?

Store glazed cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate them uncovered for 10-15 minutes to let the glaze set, then cover loosely with parchment paper before sealing to avoid condensation.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Italian Ricotta Christmas Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking traditions. They bring back warm memories of baking with my family, little hands coated in flour chasing each other around the kitchen. I hope you’ll enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do—it’s such a joy to create something so simple yet so festive and delicious. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll have a new holiday favorite on your hands!