Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies Recipe
Delight in these Orange Chocolate Chip Ricotta Cookies, a luscious twist on classic cookies combining the citrusy brightness of fresh orange zest and juice with creamy ricotta cheese and rich semi-sweet chocolate chips. Soft, moist, and lightly glazed with an orange-infused icing, they offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that sparkle in every bite.
- Author: Joe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookies
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 teaspoons orange zest, from 2 large oranges
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup (246 g) whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (173 g) mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Glaze
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter, Sugar, and Zest: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine granulated sugar, softened unsalted butter, and orange zest. Mix on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add Egg, Ricotta, and Vanilla: Add the large room-temperature egg to the creamed mixture and beat well. Then incorporate the ricotta cheese and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and creamy.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Stop the mixer, add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and mix on low speed until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently mix in the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until it is no longer sticky, which helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line three large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop Dough onto Sheets: Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, drop the chilled dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie about an inch apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 13 to 14 minutes or until the cookies are almost set but still soft. This gives a tender, delicate texture.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Orange Glaze: While the cookies cool, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and freshly squeezed orange juice in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the orange glaze over the cooled cookies for a glossy, citrusy finish. Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is important for texture and shape control during baking.
- Use fresh orange zest and juice for the best citrus flavor.
- Ricotta cheese adds moisture and a tender crumb to the cookies.
- Mini chocolate chips distribute evenly and melt more smoothly than larger chips.
- The glaze can be thickened or thinned by adjusting the amount of orange juice.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days for optimal freshness.
Keywords: Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies, Ricotta Cookies, Citrus Cookies, Soft Cookies, Homemade Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies with Orange, Orange Glaze Cookies