If you’re looking to add a little sunshine and cheer to your cookie lineup, the Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies balance the bright zestiness of fresh orange with sweet-tart cranberries and the creamy, tender texture from ricotta cheese, creating a soft, irresistible bite that feels like a festive hug. The luscious orange glaze on top ties everything together with a glossy, citrusy finish. Whether it’s for holiday gatherings or a special snack, these cookies are an absolute delight that never fail to impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this recipe are straightforward yet thoughtfully chosen, making each cookie bursting with flavor and the perfect balance of texture. From the creamy ricotta to the zesty orange components and tart cranberries, every element plays an essential role.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a tender crumb to the cookies.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents ensure your cookies rise just right for softness and lightness.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet and citrus flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dough, making the texture melt-in-your-mouth.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies perfectly without overpowering the natural tang of the ricotta and orange zest.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients and helps keep the cookies tender.
- Ricotta cheese: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their incredible softness and subtle creaminess.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm undertone that complements the citrus beautifully.
- Orange zest: Imparts a fresh, aromatic citrus punch throughout the cookie dough.
- Dried cranberries: Bring a tart burst and chewy texture that contrasts perfectly with the soft cookie.
- Powdered sugar (for the glaze): Creates a silky, sweet coating to balance the tartness.
- Fresh orange juice (for the glaze): Adds brightness and helps achieve that perfect glaze consistency.
- Orange zest (for the glaze): A little extra zest to enhance every bite with citrus aroma.
How to Make Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; this step will ensure the cookies bake evenly and release easily without sticking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt—so they’re evenly mixed and ready to combine with your wet ingredients.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This creaming process is crucial because it incorporates air into the batter, which helps create soft, tender cookies that have a slight lift.
Step 3: Add Egg, Ricotta, and Flavorings
Next, add the egg and continue beating until everything is fully combined. Then mix in the ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, and that fragrant orange zest. This blend is where the magic happens: the ricotta gives softness, while the orange zest bursts with citrus flavor, setting these cookies apart from any other.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold in the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing at this stage can lead to tougher cookies, so keep it gentle. Finally, fold in the chopped dried cranberries—they add delightful pops of tartness and beautiful color throughout.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until the edges have turned just golden and the centers are set but still soft. This timing is key to maintaining that luscious, tender texture that makes these cookies so special.
Step 6: Prepare and Apply the Orange Glaze
While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until smooth to create a glossy glaze. After the cookies have fully cooled, spoon or drizzle the glaze generously over each cookie. Let the glaze set before serving to add a beautiful, zesty touch that glistens and tastes irresistible.
How to Serve Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra-special presentation, sprinkle a few extra dried cranberries or a pinch of finely grated orange zest over the glaze just before it sets. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also make these cookies look lovely for holiday gatherings or afternoon tea.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of herbal tea, fresh coffee, or even a light dessert wine. If you’re serving them at brunch, consider offering them alongside fresh fruit or a creamy yogurt parfait to complement their rich, soft texture.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the cookies on a pretty platter with fresh orange slices interspersed for a festive touch. You can also package them in small, decorative boxes as homemade gifts—you’ll win hearts with the taste and charm of this Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled and glazed, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and moist for up to three days, though the flavors continue to deepen if you refrigerate them for up to a week. Just make sure the container is sealed tightly to keep them from drying out.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully, but it’s best to freeze them without the glaze first. After thawing at room temperature, you can prepare and drizzle the orange glaze fresh. This way, your cookies retain their perfect texture and have that vibrant glaze shine like they just came from the oven.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy these cookies warm, briefly heat them in a microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a low-temperature oven (300°F) for a few minutes. This subtle warmth amplifies the citrus aroma and softens the cookies beautifully without melting the glaze.
FAQs
Can I substitute low-fat ricotta in this recipe?
Using low-fat ricotta can work, but it may alter the texture slightly, making the cookies less creamy and tender. Whole milk ricotta is ideal for that rich, soft crumb, but if needed, low-fat ricotta is an acceptable alternative.
Can fresh cranberries be used instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries are much more tart and contain more moisture, so they can affect the cookie texture and baking time. If you want to use fresh, chop them finely and consider adding extra flour or baking time to keep the dough balanced.
How thick should I spread the orange glaze?
A moderately thin layer works best—just enough to coat each cookie beautifully without dripping off. The glaze should look shiny and slightly translucent once set, accentuating the orange flavors without overpowering the cookie’s texture.
Are these cookies suitable for holiday cookie exchanges?
Absolutely! These Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe are festive and unique, making them a standout in any cookie swap. Their beautiful colors and delicate flavors impress everyone and travel well when stored properly.
Is it okay to omit the glaze?
Yes, the cookies taste delicious even without the glaze, but the glaze adds a lovely citrus brightness and a sweet finish that elevates them to another level. For a less sweet option, you can simply dust them with powdered sugar or enjoy them plain.
Final Thoughts
This Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe is a true treasure in your baking repertoire. The combination of creamy ricotta, vibrant orange zest, and tender cranberries creates cookies that are soft, flavorful, and utterly charming. I encourage you to give these a try—they’re a joyful treat that’s perfect any time you want to brighten your day or spread some festive goodwill.
Print
Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies with Orange Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies are a soft, festive holiday treat combining the creamy richness of ricotta cheese with zesty orange and tart cranberries. These delicate cookies are topped with a sweet orange glaze, making them perfect for Christmas celebrations or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Add-ins
- ¾ cup dried cranberries, chopped if large
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Ricotta: Beat in the egg until fully incorporated. Then add ricotta cheese, vanilla extract, and orange zest, mixing continuously until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently to avoid overmixing. Mix until just combined to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Cranberries: Fold the dried cranberries into the dough evenly distributing them throughout.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12–14 minutes, or until the edges are just golden and the centers appear set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
- Prepare Glaze: While the cookies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest in a small bowl until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the orange glaze over each cookie with a spoon. Allow the glaze to set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These cookies freeze well; thaw completely before glazing for best results.
- For a softer texture, avoid overbaking and remove cookies while centers are still slightly soft.
