Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Hello all! I know it's been awhile since the last post, but there hasn't really been the need to bake at my house. For one, I made a quick box-cake for Mother's Day (because that was what she wanted; yellow cake with vanilla frosting and coconut on top). Two, I live in Arizona and it is getting warmer day by day. So warm that I have not really had any desire to do anything in my kitchen.

So it was finally time to bake some cookies and I wanted something summery and fruit influenced. My Mom caught this recipe on Everyday Italian with Giada de Laurentis, and this is a fantastic cookie recipe. It's been a couple of years since I've made them, which was at Christmas time. I like to include something with fruit in my gift boxes. Anyway, it's wonderfully tart and cake-like and it's PERFECT for the summer.

INGREDIENTS:

From Everyday Italian with Giada de Laurentis

 2 1/2 cups of flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 cups sugar

1 stick of unsalted butter

2 eggs

1-15 oz. container of ricotta cheese

the zest of 1 lemon

3 tbsp. of lemon juice

1) Preheat oven to 375 F.  In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, then set aside.

2) In a larger bowl, combine butter and sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat until they are light and fluffy. Add the eggs in 1 at a time, then add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice and zest until combined.

3) Add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix until well combined.

4) Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let rest for 20 minutse.

GLAZE

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 tbsp. lemon juice

zest of 1 lemon

Mix ingredients in a mixing bowl until they reach the desired consistency. Glaze cookies, and let the glaze set before storing them in the fridge.

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I <3 this cookie, but then again I do love sour flavors. Just a small note, don't be afraid of how tart the glaze is. Trust me, it's pucker inducing. But I don't find it as intense once it's on the cookie. All I can taste is the delicious lemony-goodness. Enjoy!