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Soft Ricotta Almond Pillows Recipe

5 from 50 reviews

Soft Ricotta Almond Pillows are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies featuring creamy ricotta cheese and almond flour. These light, tender treats are lightly sweetened and topped with toasted sliced almonds, making them perfect for a sophisticated dessert or tea-time snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • ½ cup almond flour or finely ground blanched almonds
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar plus more for dusting
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds lightly toasted

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese, drained of excess liquid
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Wet Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring even incorporation.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the almond flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt thoroughly to distribute all dry components evenly.
  4. Form Dough: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
  5. Shape Cookies: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
  6. Add Toppings: Sprinkle sliced toasted almonds atop each dollop of dough, pressing them gently so they adhere well to the cookie surface.
  7. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cookies for 15–18 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft and tender.
  8. Cool and Dust: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar before serving for a delicate finish.

Notes

  • Add zest from lemon or orange peel to the dough for a citrusy twist.
  • Drizzle with honey after baking for added sweetness and shine.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • For extended storage, freeze the cookies and dust with powdered sugar after thawing.
  • To reheat, warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave briefly to restore softness.

Keywords: ricotta cookies, almond cookies, soft cookies, Italian dessert, almond flour cookies, baked almond treats, ricotta cheese dessert