As an experienced home baker with years of perfecting family recipes, I’m excited to share one of my personal favourites that always makes my family smile. Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies are more than a treat – they’re a little slice of home comfort that combines the creamy texture of ricotta with the sunny citrus flavor of orange and the tart sweetness of cranberries.

These Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies are especially popular during the holiday season, but they’re delicious enough to enjoy all year round. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want a simple, comforting treat, this recipe is easy to follow and delivers amazing results every time.

Let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Trust me, these are no ordinary cookies. The secret ingredient? Ricotta cheese. It makes these cookies go from good to absolutely, positively, one-hundred-per-cent great. The ricotta gives them rich moisture and creamy crumb that you just can’t get with cookies made with regular butter. Bite after bite, it’s a cloud-like, pillowy mass of citrus, fruity heaven.

✔ Soft & Moist: Ricotta cheese makes these cookies extra tender.
✔ Bright & Flavorful: The orange zest and cranberries add a fresh, tangy twist.
✔ Easy to Make: No chilling required—just mix, bake, and enjoy!
✔ Great for Holidays: A festive favorite for Christmas and Thanksgiving.
✔ Freezer-Friendly: Bake ahead and store for later.

Ingredients for Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies

For these deliciously soft cookies, you’ll need:

For the Cookies:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ½ cup dried cranberries (chopped, if preferred)

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 tablespoon milk (if needed for consistency)

How to Make the Best Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies?

To ensure soft and flavorful cookies, follow these key tips:

• Use full-fat ricotta for the best texture and flavor.
• Don’t overmix the dough to keep the cookies light and tender.
• Zest the orange before juicing it to make things easier.
• Let the cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting.

Now, let’s move on to the step-by-step recipe!

Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter & Sugar

• In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

• Mix in the ricotta cheese, egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth.

Step 5: Combine the Batter

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
• Stir in the dried cranberries until evenly distributed.

Step 6: Scoop & Bake

• Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.

Step 7: Cool the Cookies

• Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely before glazing.

Step 8: Prepare the Orange Glaze

• In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest.
• If the glaze is too thick, add a little milk to thin it out.

Step 9: Glaze & Enjoy!

• Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies.
• Let the glaze set before serving.

Variations & Substitutions

✔ Swap Cranberries for Raisins: Use golden raisins or chopped dried apricots.
✔ Make it Nutty: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch.
✔ Use Almond Extract: Replace vanilla with ½ teaspoon almond extract for a different flavor.
✔ Lemon Twist: Substitute lemon zest and juice for an alternative citrus flavor.

How to Store & Freeze Cookies

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerate: Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Freeze (Unglazed Cookies): Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Let cookies thaw at room temperature before adding glaze.

Tips for Perfect Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies Every Time

✔ Use fresh orange zest for the best citrus flavor.
✔ Measure flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off.
✔ Don’t overbake—the cookies should be soft and slightly golden.
✔ Let the glaze set completely before stacking or storing.

RELATED RECIPES TO TRY:-

• Glazed Chicken Rice Bowl with Broccoli & Cucumber Recipe
• Honey Garlic Butter Baked Salmon Recipe
• Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe
• Cherry Yum Yum Recipe
• Easy Fluffy Vanilla Cake Recipe

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using cold ingredients during making Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies– Ensure butter, egg, and ricotta are at room temperature for easy mixing.
❌ Overmixing the dough can make the cookies dense instead of soft.
❌ Skipping parchment paper – Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
❌ Glazing too soon – Warm cookies will melt the glaze, making it runny.

Final Thoughts

These orange cranberry ricotta cookies are the perfect blend of citrusy freshness, creamy richness, and sweet-tart cranberries. They’re easy to make, incredibly soft, and a delightful treat for any occasion—whether it’s holidays, brunch, or just an everyday sweet snack.

Give this recipe a try and enjoy these light, fluffy, and flavor-packed cookies!

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried ones?

Yes! Chop them finely and increase the sugar slightly to balance the tartness.

2. Can I skip the glaze?

Absolutely! These cookies are delicious even without it.

3. Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! Bake them a day in advance and glaze them before serving.

4. What can I use instead of ricotta cheese?

Mascarpone or Greek yogurt can work, but the texture will be slightly different.

5. Can I double this recipe?

Yes! Just be sure to bake in batches to avoid overcrowding the oven.