Nonna’s Ricotta Cookies: An Ainsworth Family Christmas Tradition
A Season of Scent and Tradition
In the Ainsworth household, Christmas isn’t just a holiday—it’s when the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary, and the warmth of family fills every corner of the home. As December arrives, so do the familiar rituals: the Christmas tree is carefully decorated, the manger is placed above the Franklin stove, and the air is alive with the cozy scents of cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and a crackling fire. It’s a scene that could be straight from an Italian Christmas postcard, but for the Ainsworths, it’s real, and it’s cherished.
Our selection of holiday cookies includes Nonna’s Ricotta Cookies in the center.
The Heart of the Holiday: Ricotta Cookies
At the center of these treasured memories is one treat that outshines all the rest: Nonna’s ricotta cookies. For Mark’s family, these cookies are more than just a dessert—they’re a symbol of love, tradition, and the magic that happens when generations gather in the kitchen. Mark’s mom would bake tray after tray, often needing to hide a batch for herself as his stepfather was known to polish them off in record time. The excitement around these cookies was palpable—everyone knew Christmas had truly arrived when the first batch came out of the oven.
What Makes Them Special
What makes these ricotta cookies so special? It’s their simplicity and unmistakable softness, thanks to the creamy ricotta that gives each bite a pillowy texture. This is a classic Italian drop cookie—no fancy equipment needed, just a spoon and a little patience. The real secret, Mark will tell you, is in the glaze. Some years it would set perfectly, other years it would run a bit, but no matter what, the cookies always disappeared quickly. Over time, Mark has made small tweaks to the recipe, focusing on using only the best ingredients: rich butter, fresh ricotta, and high-quality flour. These little details, he believes, make the difference between a good cookie and a truly unforgettable one.
Nonna's Ricotta Cookies
Ingredients
- Dough
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8 oz Butter, soft
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14.1 oz Sugar
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1 ea Lemon Zest
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0.4 oz Vanilla Extract
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2 ea Eggs
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16 oz Ricotta
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1 tsp Baking Soda
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0.75 tsp Baking Powder
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16.9 oz Flour, All Purpose
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1 tsp Salt
- Glaze
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16.2 oz Confectioners Sugar
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1 tsp Vanilla Extract
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2 tbl Milk
Instructions
- The Dough
- Mix the softened butter and sugar together until the texture becomes light and fully combined, then add the lemon zest and mix again to evenly distribute the oils and aroma.
- Add the eggs and vanilla slowly in stages, allowing each addition to blend before adding more.
- Add the ricotta as its own step, mixing until the dough becomes smooth and uniform.
- Sift all dry ingredients together to evenly distribute the leavening and remove any lumps.
- Add the dry mixture slowly to the wet dough, mixing only until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Let the dough rest for 2 hours in the fridge.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased Teflon-lined cookie sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the cookies at 350°F for 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are set and lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool briefly on the tray before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- The Glaze
- Add one teaspoon of frosting to the top of each cooled cookie, letting it naturally spread and drip over the sides.
- Allow to dry and set for a few hours on wire rick.
Notes
• I like to use pasteurized egg whites instead of milk if they are available.
• I like to make the glaze and test the thickness on one or two cookies and let it sit for 30 minutes to ensure it's the right thickness.
• Adjust the fluidity of the glaze with more powdered sugar or milk.
• Do NOT overbake the cookies. Less is more, and just till the edges start to brown.
Baking Memories
The ritual of baking these cookies is as important as eating them. Mark recalls the laughter in the kitchen, the clatter of dishes, and his mom enjoying a quiet moment with a glass of Mr. Boston’s blackberry brandy by the stove. These are the moments that define the holiday for the Ainsworth family—simple pleasures, shared stories, and the feeling of being together.
A Beloved Italian Tradition
Ricotta cookies aren’t just a family favorite—they’re a beloved tradition in Italian-American homes, especially during the holidays. Originating in Southern Italy, these cookies have found their way into countless celebrations, prized for their soft, cake-like texture and subtle sweetness. Traditionally flavored with lemon or vanilla and finished with a glossy glaze, they’re a treat that invites you to slow down, savor each bite, and create your own memories around the kitchen table.
Join the Tradition
This year, the Ainsworth family invites you to become part of their tradition. Whether you’re baking these cookies for the first time or the hundredth, may your kitchen be filled with laughter, your home with warmth, and your heart with the joy of the season.
From our family to yours—buon Natale, and happy baking!
