These orange chocolate chip ricotta cookies are a delightful Italian-inspired treat.
They combine bright citrus with rich chocolate in every tender, delicious bite.
The secret to their incredibly soft, pillowy texture? Whole milk ricotta cheese! It creates an irresistibly moist crumb that stays fresh for days.
Add orange-infused glaze and they’re impossible to resist.
Why You’ll Love These Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies
Easy Yet Impressive: Despite their gourmet appearance and flavor, the recipe is straightforward and approachable, even for novice bakers.
Melt in Your Mouth Texture: The ricotta cheese creates an exceptionally tender, cake-like interior while maintaining crisp edges.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough benefits from chilling time, making these cookies ideal for advanced preparation and stress-free entertaining.
Gift-Worthy: With their elegant appearance and fantastic flavor, these cookies make impressive homemade gifts.
Ingredients
- Orange Zest & Juice: Add zest to the cookie dough and use the juice to make the glaze.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: For a rich, bittersweet contrast to the buttery cookies. Use mini chips for the best texture.
- Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese: Adds moisture and creates a tender, cake-like texture.
- Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, tender crumb.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with texture and browning.
- Egg: Acts as a binder and provides structure to the dough.
- All-Purpose Flour & Baking Powder: The flour provides structure, while the baking powder creates lift and lightness.
- Salt: Enhances all flavors in the cookie and balances the sweetness.
- Powdered Sugar: Dissolves easily to create a smooth, sweet glaze.
How to Make Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies
These cookies are like little bites of sunshine with a twist.
The ricotta makes them incredibly soft and tender, while the orange zest brings this bright, citrusy flavor that feels so fresh and vibrant.
And then, just when you think it couldn’t get better, in come the chocolate chips to balance everything with their rich, melty goodness.
Sounds gourmet, right? Luckily, they’re a cinch to make!
1. RUB the granulated sugar and orange zest in a large bowl until fragrant.
2. BEAT the butter with the sugar mixture until light and fluffy.
3. MIX in the egg, ricotta, and vanilla on low speed, one at a time, until smooth.
4. WHISK the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add to the wet ingredients with the chocolate chips.
5. CHILL the dough for 30–60 minutes, then PREHEAT the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. SCOOP 1-tablespoon-sized dough balls onto the sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
7. BAKE for 12–14 minutes, until the edges are golden and centers are set. Cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
8. WHISK the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Adjust consistency if needed.
9. GLAZE the cooled cookies, sprinkle with zest, and let set for 10–15 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Tips For the Best Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies
If you’ve never baked with ricotta before, trust me, it’s a game-changer.
These cookies are proof that sometimes unexpected ingredients create the most magical results.
Here are a few tips to ensure success:
- Use room-temperature ingredients. Get everything out of the fridge early to ensure easy mixing.
- Use fresh ingredients. Always use fresh orange juice and zest for the best citrus flavor. And use high-quality, fresh ricotta for a creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Chill for firmness. Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and create fluffy cookies.
- Monitor the baking time. Pull the cookies out when the edges are golden, but the centers still look slightly soft.
- Variations. Try white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks for different flavor profiles. Or add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for warmth.
How to Store
These cookies are light enough to enjoy with your morning coffee but indulgent enough for dessert.
Either way, they store really well!
To Store: Place the cooled cookies in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store them in the fridge for up to 1 week.
To Freeze: Freeze the cookies without glaze in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing and serving.
More Dreamy Cookie Recipes to Try
Pecan Snowball Cookies
Maple Snickerdoodles
Almond Crescent Cookies
Linzer Cookies
Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies
36
servings25
minutes12
minutes168
kcalThese buttery orange chocolate chip ricotta cookies are citrusy and studded with melty chocolate chips. They’re the perfect balance of bright & indulgent.
Ingredients
- For the Cookies
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons orange zest
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips
- For the Glaze
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Make the Cookies: In a large bowl, rub the granulated sugar and orange zest with your fingers until well combined and fragrant.
- Add the butter to the sugar and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy,
- Reduce the speed to low and blend in the egg, ricotta cheese, and vanilla extract one at a time until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until about halfway combined. Add the chocolate chips and mix just until no streaks of flour are visible.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 30-60 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°Fahrenheit and line the baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Portion the dough into 1 tablespoon-sized balls and arrange on the baking sheets with about 2 inches between.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. If needed, add more sugar or juice to adjust the consistency.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle or spread the glaze over the tops. Sprinkle with orange zest and let the glaze to set for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Get everything out of the fridge early to ensure easy mixing.
- Always use fresh orange juice and zest for the best citrus flavor. And use high-quality, fresh ricotta for a creamy texture and rich flavor.
