Peachy Ricotta Cookies with a Zesty Orange Twist Recipe
These Peachy Ricotta Cookies with a Zesty Orange Twist are soft, creamy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavors. The ricotta cheese provides a tender texture while the orange and lemon zest give them a bright, refreshing taste. Coated in sugar for a delightful crunch and optionally tinted with a pop of color, these cookies make a perfect treat for gatherings or a sweet afternoon snack.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert/Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dairy and Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups Ricotta cheese (heaping cups for extra creaminess)
- 3 large Eggs
- 1 cup Full-fat milk
- 1 stick Unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 tablespoon Rum or peach liqueur (or substitute with peach juice)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla bean paste
- 1 drop Red or pink food coloring (optional)
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour (spoon and level for accuracy)
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 pinch Salt (small pinch to enhance flavor)
- 1 cup Granulated sugar (plus 1 cup for coating)
Flavorings and Garnish
- 2 teaspoons Orange zest
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- Mint leaves (for decoration)
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking your cookies.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of granulated sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla bean paste. Mix thoroughly until the mixture becomes creamy and well blended.
- Add zest and liqueur: Stir in the orange zest, lemon zest, and rum or peach liqueur (or peach juice) to infuse the batter with bright, zesty flavors.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and salt.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing. If desired, add a drop of red or pink food coloring for a colorful touch.
- Form cookie dough balls: Use a spoon or cookie scoop to drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing each about two inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Coat with sugar: Roll each ball of dough in granulated sugar to create a sweet, crackly exterior once baked.
- Bake cookies: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool and decorate: Let the cookies cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired before serving.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, use heaping cups of ricotta cheese as indicated.
- Substitute rum or peach liqueur with peach juice to keep the recipe alcohol-free.
- Use full-fat milk for richer flavor and texture.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough once dry ingredients are added to maintain cookie tenderness.
- Optional food coloring adds a fun visual twist but does not affect flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 35g)
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: peachy ricotta cookies, orange zest cookies, ricotta cookies, citrus cookies, soft cookies, peach liqueur cookies