Discover soft, zesty Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies with a sweet citrus glaze. The perfect blend of tart & creamy. Try this recipe today!
Welcome to Cookie Heaven
Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies blend creamy, bright, and sweet flavors into a delightful treat that will take your cookie-making skills to the next level.
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Why These Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies Will Become Your New Favorite
These cookies aren’t your average treats—they’re a sophisticated blend of flavors and textures that manage to be both elegant and comforting at the same time. The ricotta cheese creates an incredibly tender crumb that sets these cookies apart from anything you’ve tried before.
What makes these cookies truly special is the balance of flavors. The zingy orange zest brightens everything up, while the cranberries add bursts of tartness that perfectly counter the sweetness. The orange glaze on top adds a glossy finish and an extra layer of citrus flavor that makes these cookies absolutely irresistible.
These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, afternoon tea, or when you want to impress guests with something a bit more refined than your standard chocolate chip cookie. They pair beautifully with cottage cheese muffins for a delightful brunch spread.
What You’ll Need for Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies
Cookie Ingredients:
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 oranges
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- ½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
To make this recipe successfully, gather these basic kitchen tools:
- Two baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Medium mixing bowl
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Zester/grater for the orange
- Wire cooling rack
- Small bowl for glaze
- Whisk for glaze
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
Ingredient Swaps and Variations
One of the best things about these cookies is how adaptable they are:
- Ricotta substitute: If you don’t have ricotta, you could use cottage cheese that’s been blended until smooth, though the texture will be slightly different.
- Cheese options: For a different flavor profile, try my cottage cheese muffins recipe approach and use mascarpone for a richer cookie.
- Citrus variations: Lemon zest works beautifully instead of orange for a different citrus twist, similar to my popular lemon coconut cheesecake cookies.
- Dried fruit options: Dried cherries, blueberries, or even diced dried apricots can replace cranberries.
- Add-ins: White chocolate chips or chopped nuts like pistachios or walnuts make wonderful additions.
- Gluten-free option: A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend can substitute all-purpose flour if needed.
How to Make Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Space
Set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This preparation ensures your cookies will bake evenly and won’t stick.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt by whisking them together. This even distribution of leavening agents helps the cookies rise properly.
Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, ricotta cheese, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Don’t rush this step – proper creaming incorporates air that helps create the perfect texture.
Step 4: Add Flavor Elements
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest to your wet mixture. Mix until everything is well combined, creating that signature citrus-infused base.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Overmixing can develop gluten and make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as the flour disappears.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each. These cookies spread slightly as they bake. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft.
Step 7: Cool Properly
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. This brief resting time helps them set up without breaking.
Step 8: Prepare the Glaze
As the cookies cool, mix powdered sugar and orange juice together until the glaze is smooth. Start with 2 tablespoons of juice and add more if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Step 9: Glaze and Garnish
Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over them and immediately sprinkle with the finely chopped dried cranberries. The glaze will set in about 30 minutes.
What to Serve with Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies
These cookies are versatile and pair well with many beverages and other treats:
- Hot tea, especially Earl Grey or orange spice varieties
- Coffee with a touch of cream
- Hot chocolate for a cozy winter pairing
- A dessert cheese board for an elegant presentation
- Fresh fruit for a lighter option
For a complete meal, consider serving these cookies as dessert after a hearty main course like my ground beef cabbage stir fry.
Pro Tips for Perfect Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter, ricotta, and egg are at room temperature for the smoothest batter.
- Fresh zest matters: Use fresh oranges for zesting—the oils in the peel are crucial for authentic flavor.
- Don’t overbake: These cookies should remain pale with just golden edges for the softest texture.
- Optional: For thicker cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking.
- Glaze consistency: The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still drizzle easily.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
- Counter storage: Store glazed cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator storage: For longer freshness, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezer storage: Unglazed cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add the glaze before serving.
- Make-ahead dough: The cookie dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
Nutritional Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Calories per serving: 110
- Number of servings: 24 cookies
- Fat: 3.5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 11g
Please note that nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
More About Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies
These cookies originated in Italian cuisine, where ricotta is commonly used in desserts to create moist, tender baked goods. The addition of orange and cranberry gives them a distinctly American holiday flavor profile, making them perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges or Thanksgiving dessert tables.
The ricotta not only adds moisture but also creates a cake-like texture that’s different from typical cookies. You’ll notice they’re more pillowy and less chewy than traditional drop cookies—this unique texture is what makes them so special!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
Fresh cranberries are too tart and wet for this recipe. Stick with dried cranberries, which provide concentrated flavor without excess moisture.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
This usually happens if your butter was too warm or if the dough wasn’t properly mixed. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Can these cookies be made ahead for a party?
Absolutely! Make them 1-2 days ahead, but add the glaze the day of serving for the freshest appearance.
My cookies are too cakey, what happened?
These cookies are naturally more cake-like due to the ricotta, but if they’re too cakey, you might have used too much flour. Remember to measure flour by spooning it into your measuring cup rather than scooping directly.
Can I make these cookies without the glaze?
Yes, they’re delicious even without the glaze, though the glaze does add an extra layer of orange flavor and sweetness.
Conclusion
Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies are truly something special—soft, tender, and full of bright flavors that dance on your palate. They strike the perfect balance between sophisticated and comforting, making them ideal for any occasion from holiday gatherings to afternoon coffee breaks.
What I love most about these cookies is how they surprise people—one bite and you’ll see eyes light up as they encounter the unexpected creaminess from the ricotta and the perfect zing from the orange and cranberries.
If you enjoyed these cookies, you might also love my lemon coconut cheesecake cookies or cottage cheese muffins for more treats that feature creamy, tangy elements.
Share Your Creations!
I’d love to see how your Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies turn out! Tag me on Pinterest or leave a comment below with your photos and experience. Did you try any variations? Let me know what worked for you!