## Winter Lemon and Ricotta Cookies: A Sweet and Tangy Delight
### Introduction:
Savor the taste of winter with our delicious recipe – Winter Lemon and Ricotta Cookies. These cookies are light, slightly tangy, and carry a heavenly sweet touch. Perfect for a cozy winter afternoon or even a festive holiday party, these cookies are sure to win you over!
### Why Make This Recipe?
There’s nothing like the zesty punch of lemons to go with the soft, creamy touch of ricotta cheese. The thought of biting into a soft, chewy cookie with the tangy-sweet harmony of lemon and ricotta makes the heart (and the stomach) flutter with joy. Plus, this recipe is quick and effortless, taking only 30 minutes of your time!
### How to Make Winter Lemon and Ricotta Cookies?
#### Ingredients:
– **Cookie Dough**: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened), 1 cup ricotta cheese, 1 egg, 3 tbsp lemon juice, zest of 1 lemon, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
– **Glaze**: 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tbsp lemon juice, and zest of 1 lemon.
#### Directions
Following these simple steps will gift you with scrumptious Winter Lemon and Ricotta Cookies:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prep a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. In a different bowl, cream together the sugar and softened butter until its light and fluffy. Add ricotta, egg, lemon juice, zest, and vanilla extract. Stir till combined.
4. Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet ones. Stir until they unite.
5. Deposit tablespoons of dough on your baking sheet, spaced around 2 inches apart.
6. Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes or until you see lightly golden edges. Let it cool on wire racks.
7. For the glaze, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Drizzle it over your cooled cookies. Voila!
### How to Serve Winter Lemon and Ricotta Cookies?
The best way to serve these tasty goodies is with a warm beverage. They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or coffee, providing a warmth that counters the chilly winter atmosphere.
### How to Store Winter Lemon and Ricotta Cookies?
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and they’d last up to a week. If you’ve to store them longer, keep them refrigerated up to 2 weeks.
### Tips to Make Winter Lemon and Ricotta Cookies
1. Always zest the lemons before juicing them.
2. Make sure that the butter is softened and not melted.
3. The cookie dough is sticky; if it becomes difficult to handle, chill the dough for a few minutes.
### Variation
Feel like experimenting? Add a dash of white chocolate chips or crushed almonds to your recipe for an extra layer of taste.
### FAQs
* **Can I use lemon extract instead of lemon juice?**
Yes, you can. Although be careful with the quantity as the extract has a stronger flavor. Only 1 tsp of extract would suffice.
* **Can I freeze the cookie dough?**
Absolutely! The dough can be frozen up to 3 months. Wrap it in cling wrap and keep it in a freezable airtight bag.
* **I don’t have butter. Can I substitute it with something else?**
In this recipe, the best substitute would be margarine. It maintains the texture and adds similar richness as butter.
Embrace this winter delight today and sprinkle a little sugar and zest into your winter days! Happy Baking! 🍋🍪