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Peachy Ricotta Cookies with a Zesty Orange Twist Recipe

Peachy Ricotta Cookies with a Zesty Orange Twist Recipe

5.2 from 20 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking your cookies.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and salt.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Coat with sugar: Roll each ball of dough in granulated sugar to create a sweet, crackly exterior once baked.
  8. Bake cookies: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden.
  9. 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

Keywords: peachy ricotta cookies, orange zest cookies, ricotta cookies, citrus cookies, soft cookies, peach liqueur cookies