Italian Ricotta Cookies (e99)

Buon giorno a tutti. In this episode, Nonna Mia, la nonna di tutti (everyone's grandma), shows us how she makes Italian Ricotta Cookies. These light, fluffy, cake-like cookies are a classic Christmas cookie, but enjoyed year round.
To make these cookies, you will need:
- 1 cup butter (225 grams) softened
- 2 cups of sugar (200 grams)
- 15 ounces of ricotta (1 pound - 470 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract
- 4 cups of all purpose flour (550 grams)
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Glaze:
- 4 cups of powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
* or if you prefer, use almond or anise extra in lieu of lemon, using milk or water as your liquid
In a standing mixer or using an electric beater, cream the butter and sugar. Once smooth and creamy, add the ricotta, two eggs and vanilla and continue to blend. Nonna likes to make her own ricotta, which is easily made should you wish to try her recipe: • Homemade Ricotta - Eas...
In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the cream until you have a soft but sticky dough.
Using water in the palm of your hand, begin rolling uniform balls and place them on a parchment lined cookie tray. This recipe makes about 90 bite-sized cookies.
Bake at 350F for 13-15 minutes. You want the bottom of the cookies to be a light brown colour. The cookies are soft in consistency.
Cool on racks. Once ready, mix up the glaze and dip the cookies into the glaze. Adjust the consistency to suit your preference - in this video, the glaze is firmer/thicker. If you prefer a thinner glaze, just add more liquid (water, milk or lemon juice). Before the glaze sets, add your sprinkles. And that's it! Easy!!
Buon appetito!

[@WalkerDestroyer]

The world needs to keep this Nonna safe. She is a treasure.

[@nonnamia7890]

Ohhh you melt my heart! Thank you so so so much. It is so lovely to read this! Merry Christmas. xoxo

[@rosemarievincent5797]

NONNA, I love your old Italian recipes. My husband is Italian Ceciliano and he loves that iam making all of he's Nonnas favorite. Gracie!

[@nonnamia7890]

Awww so sweet. Grazie cara. I’m happy you are making my recipes. Hugs to you and your husband. 🤗💛🤗

[@its_kaatee]

That time of year to watch Nonna’s video again 🤗. I came across her last year, and this will now be a holiday tradition❣️. My family also enjoys watching your comforting videos. Thank you, Nonna Mia! Merry Christmas ❤️🎄

[@nonnamia7890]

What a sweet message. Warms my heart. Thank you so much. I hope your 2024 is beautiful!

[@bobmcglone6825]

Thank you very much - I will make these cookies. Your recipes remind me of my childhood ❤

[@nonnamia7890]

I’m so happy to hear that. 🥰

[@Patriot-up2td]

I’m sitting here on Christmas Eve having some of your chocolate hazelnut biscotti that you showed my wife and I how to make, with a nice hot cup of coffee. It’s delicious! We appreciate you so much Nonna! Lots of love, and Merry Christmas to you and yours from New Hampshire!!!

[@nonnamia7890]

What a beautiful thing to say ... you warm my heart caro!! Buon Natale to you both. Thank you so much for always supporting me! xoxo

[@MargoshaTheKing]

Merry Christmas, Nonna!! You always bring a big smile to my face ♥️ This video has inspired me to make these for my Nonna. It breaks my heart that we cannot be together right now because she’s ill, but I know as soon as she feels better she will be so happy to receive these cookies!! ♥️ Stay safe and stay happy!!

[@nonnamia7890]

Bravissima - your Nonna will be so so happy! I hope you had a lovely Christmas bella. Thank you for writing me. xoxo

[@francescoscaglione5182]

Nonna, you're so full of light and sweetness! Merry Christmas to you and the whole family 🎄🍾🥂❤

[@nonnamia7890]

Bello! Long time no hear. I hope you and your family are all well in Cosenza. Buon Natale! xoxox

[@francescoscaglione5182]

@@nonnamia7890 we're all fine nonna, thank you, hope the same for you all ❤

[@lorieb1504]

Merry Christmas, Nonna Mia!! You make the world a better place with your beautiful heart of gold! God Bless you and your family and thank you so much for sharing such wonderful recipes and so much love with us always!🙏🏻❤️🙌🏻

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie tanto cara Lorie. You warm my heart with your beautiful words. Thank you so much for watching my video. I really appreciate it. Wishing you a very happy new year bella. xoxo

[@Appaddict01]

These are my favorite cookies.

[@nonnamia7890]

You have great taste 🤗

[@danieladowning4289]

Buon Natale Mom! I can't wait to have some tomorrow!

[@nonnamia7890]

Buon Natale mia bella Daniela! There is lots for you and the girls and Mark. See you real soon! xoxoxo

[@tbrough90]

I'm sorry I'm so late, buon Natale Nonna! You have given us so many delicious recipes, and even more smiles. Grazie! grazie! grazie! ❤️

[@nonnamia7890]

Wonderful to hear from you. Buon Anno cara! I hope your 2022 is off to a great start! I'm always happy to see your name pop up! Sending you a big big hug! xox

[@joycecameron3691]

These are absolutely 💯 delicious 😋 yummy! Grazie mille Bella Nonna Mia !🥰❤🥰

[@nonnamia7890]

You’re very welcome cara Joyce. Come back soon. 🥰

[@lynettepavelich7540]

Merry Christmas, sweet Nonna!

[@nonnamia7890]

Thank you bella - to you too! xox

[@TuckerSP2011]

Buon Natale Nonna Mia! Baci Baci Baci! xoxo 🎄⛄🎄⛄

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie mille cara - anche a voi tutti! xoxo

[@teresafilice7697]

Merry Christmas Nonna Mia and A happy Healthy new year 2022 TF . Canada.

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie tanto bella Teresa ... Merry Christmas to you too! xox

[@user-mf3kd4np8f]

Carissima Nonna, your ricotta recipe is easy and delicious. Now, for the cookies---you win a BLUE RIBBON!!! They are soft and very flavorful ❤❤❤ BUON NATALE to you and your family. We adopt you as our Nonna ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Auguri per un Felice Anno Nuovo.

[@nonnamia7890]

Thank you so much bella. Sei molto dolce. Baci e amore. 🤗💛🤗

[@giselenorton1312]

You are adorable. I am making your recipe now

[@nonnamia7890]

Wonderful. This makes me so happy. 🥰

[@gracecacciola3112]

Merry Christmas Nonna Mia!! 🎄🎅🏻

[@nonnamia7890]

Thank you so much - to you too bella! xox

[@tedwilliams5087]

Merry Christmas Nona, you da best !

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie tanto Chief! So sweet of you to wish me a Merry Christmas. Happy New Year to you and your family. xoxo

[@jo-anndigennaro9137]

❤️❤️❤️ Yummy!

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie cara!

[@sweetdonnasdesserts2448]

I just subscribed a few weeks ago and I wanted to say that you are such a lovely woman and an absolute joy to watch!

[@nonnamia7890]

Thank you so much - you are so sweet. It means a lot to me that you subscribed and wrote me bella! xox

[@heidiharsch5141]

Buon Natale Nonna! xoxoxo Baci😘🎄

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie tanto cara - anche a voi tutti! xox

[@amandamartinez4346]

Buon Natale 🎅

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie tanto - anche a voi tutti! xx

[@nancyo7629]

My mom makes these and they're my favorite cookie.

[@nonnamia7890]

Buon giorno bella - I am happy that you know these beautiful cookies! xx

[@ilovesyababe]

EXCELLENT ........Thanks for sharing

[@nonnamia7890]

My pleasure.

[@samirakuche4844]

Guten Abend 😊😊😘😘😘😘🛎👍🤝

[@nonnamia7890]

Buona sera cara Samira. Are you in germany? xox

[@carolrgoldenoldie2]

Nonna, you’re amazing…. I love your videos. I hope you have a Happy Christmas and a healthy safe New Year.. From one of your fans in Sydney, Australia.

[@nonnamia7890]

Wow. Sydney. So far away. That is amazing how KZbin connects us. Thank you so much bella. Buon Natale e Buon Anno. xoxo

[@franceskloos1297]

You are such a joy to watch ❤️❤️ Everything you make I can follow you and it always turns out great. I made these cookies they are delicious with wine or coffee. Merry Christmas to you and your family from Pennsylvania.🎄🎄🎄God Bless

[@nonnamia7890]

Cara Frances - you are always cheering me up! Thank you for your kind words always. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Day. Sending you hugs from Ontario. xoxo

[@pamelac2863]

I'm going to try to make this

[@nonnamia7890]

Brava. I hope you enjoy them. 😍

[@daant6876]

Ti amo

[@nonnamia7890]

You're so sweet!! xx

[@angelastcyr1781]

Yummmm! Merry Christmas 🎄 Salud!

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie tanto cara Angela - Buon Natale a voi tutti! xox

[@cindysquirrelloffgrid9514]

I hope you had a great Christmas, wishing you all the best in the New Year. love this recipe, will have to give it a try

[@nonnamia7890]

Happy New Year dear Cindy. Thank you so much for writing me. I hope this year ahead is full of lots of smiles for you and your family. Sending you love and hugs. xox

[@surinderpuri9141]

Merry Christmas Nonna. Those cookies look delicious! Can I stop by to get one? 😀

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie tanto bello. They are delicious - stop by anytime! Merry Christmas xx

[@NYricanMinded]

Should I chill the cookie dough prior to baking? I usually chill my cookie dough to prevent them from spreading.

[@nonnamia7890]

Hello thank you - I don’t but I don’t have a spreading problem.

[@rosaliatigniniverdun7929]

I like you Nonna MIA❤

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie Rosalia 😍

[@nataliatchigrinova5609]

THANK YOU for this wonderful recipe! You are a great cook! Just one question How much lemon zest you put in your dough? Thank you 💖 Merry Christmas 🤗💖💖

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie tanto e Buon Natale. I put zest of one lemon. 😘

[@nataliatchigrinova5609]

@@nonnamia7890 THANK YOU for your answer. Merry Christmas, dear Nonna I wish you be healthy and happy 💖💋🎄🎍🎻 I made your cookies for Christmas and I'm going to make it again! Everyone loves it!

[@joycecameron3691]

Joyeux Noël Nonna Mia.

[@nonnamia7890]

Merci beaucoup ma belle! xoxo

[@oneitalia2312]

Hello my beautiful friend ~♡~ Here we are waiting to ring in the new year. As I look back on ALL the wonderful recipes you've shared throughout the entire year, I'm thinking of how many lives you've touched with your generosity and grace in your kitchen showing thousands upon thousands of people how to cook and bake with your traditional Italian recipes. How proud you must feel to share your technique to so many. As we await the ringing in of 2022, let me be the first to say GOD BLESS YOU for an outstanding year behind us and here's to a beautiful, healthy, happy and prosperous NEW YEAR to YOU and yours. Thank you for EVERYTHING and may your flour bin never go empty! Please know that a big blue candle shines bright for you in our Monastery. ☆~HAPPY NEW YEAR 202220 !!!♡♡♡!!!☆☆☆!!!♡♡♡!!!☆☆☆!!!

[@nonnamia7890]

Carisima Natalia - I am speechless. This is the most beautiful message I have ever received. You have made my heart so full. Thank you so so very much. I am touched beyond words. I wish you the very best for 2022 - full of love, laughter, smiles and great health. Thank you so much for the candle - that means the word to me. Where is your Monastery? Hugs and love from Ontario. xoxoxo

[@oneitalia2312]

@@nonnamia7890 Our Monastery is in Toledo, OH (I am the cook and baker for 20 cloistered nuns!)

[@oneitalia2312]

@@nonnamia7890 Many thanks, my Canadian Friend! I was in Windsor, Canada (not too far from me) for their Italiain Street Festival for St. Joseph's Feast Day! Ontario is way far North - I've seen some beautiful photographs of the gorgeous Ontario! I hope you are relaxing this first day of the new year. Put your feet up, hard worker, tomorrow is another day! (Do you have a traditional Italian meal for new year's day? Some people eat pork and sauerkraut today for good luck :-)

[@nonnamia7890]

@@oneitalia2312 That is wonderful cara. I would love to send you one of my Nonna Mia aprons, if you send me your address. It makes me smile, imaging that you would wear my apron at your monastery.

[@nonnamia7890]

@@oneitalia2312 I have never been to Windsor if you can believe that. The San Giuseppe festival sounds really nice. Jan 1st my family doesn't really have a traditional meal - besides turkey. Christmas Eve we do baccala. How about you?

[@ornelabeshiri8789]

❤

[@nonnamia7890]

Grazie Ornela:-)

[@annav3627]

Do you know how you could freeze the cookies?

[@nonnamia7890]

Unglazed is best. They freeze well in any airtight container/freezer bag.

[@user-dd2xv3yv7m]

She reminder me of Miranda Martin husband

[@nonnamia7890]

I remind you of a man? 😉