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Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies

These Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies are a delightful treat with a soft, cake-like texture, enriched with creamy ricotta, zesty orange, and mini chocolate chips.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Use a high-quality brand like King Arthur for the best results.
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder Ensure it's fresh to give cookies a nice rise.
  • 0.25 teaspoons kosher salt Enhances flavors without overwhelming sweetness.
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup granulated sugar Substitute with coconut sugar for a deeper flavor if desired.
  • 0.5 cups unsalted butter, softened Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • 4 teaspoons orange zest Freshly zest the orange for the best flavor—don't skip this!
  • 1 large egg Bring it to room temperature for smoother blending.
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese For an irresistible creaminess—look for fresh ricotta.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pure vanilla will pack the most flavor punch.
Mix-ins
  • 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips Use high-quality chips like Ghirardelli for the best taste.
Glaze
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar This will be used for the glaze.
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice Freshly squeezed enhances the orange flavor beautifully.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt. Set aside.
  2. In a stand mixer, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, and 4 teaspoons of orange zest. Mix on medium speed until light and fluffy—this should take about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Add 1 large egg to the mixture, and mix well. Then, incorporate 1 cup of whole milk ricotta cheese and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until these ingredients are fully combined.
  4. Gradually stop the mixer and add the flour mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Be careful not to overmix!
  5. Gently fold in 1 cup of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
  6. Cover the dough tightly and place it in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours; this helps improve the texture and flavor.
Baking
  1. When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Using a tablespoon cookie scoop, drop balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring to leave enough space between each cookie.
  3. Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 13-14 minutes or until they are almost set (they’ll continue cooking slightly once removed).
  4. After removing the cookies from the oven, allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
  5. For a finishing touch, whisk together 1 cup of confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled cookies for a beautiful shine and extra flavor.
  6. These cookies are best enjoyed fresh but will stay delicious for days.

Notes

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for 1 month. Always use fresh spices and quality chocolate for the best flavor experience.