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Orange Ricotta Cookies

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Updated Jan 14, 2026
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Tired of making the same, old cookies? These cookie sandwiches are delightfully different. Both the cookies and the filling are made with whole milk ricotta cheese and fresh orange, for a light and fluffy texture and amazing fresh orange flavor. They are a great choice for baby or wedding showers, afternoon teas, or other gatherings where you want cookies that say, “special.” Only you need to know that it took just 45 minutes of hands-on time to make them!

Hailing direct from our Cookie cookbook, these cuties look fancy, but really aren’t complicated to make. The orange-ricotta cookies are dipped in colored orange sugar for a bit of sparkle and crunch. Filled with a creamy, dreamy orange-ricotta filling, then garnished with candied orange slices and mint leaves to make them extra-special. The soft, tender cookies and creamy filling are an intoxicating combination of flavors and textures that will have your guests coming back for seconds!

Orange Ricotta Cookies

  • Prep Time 45 min
  • Total 3 hr 45 min
  • Servings 48
  • Ingredients 18
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Ingredients

Cookies

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (from 8-oz container)
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 4 1/2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon orange gel food color
  • 1 tablespoon water

Filling

  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (from 8-oz container)
  • 2 teaspoons grated orange zest

Garnish

  • Candied orange slices, cut into small triangles, if desired
  • Small mint leaves, cut in half, if desired
Make With
Gold Medal Flour

Instructions

  • Step 
    1

    In large bowl, beat 3/4 cup of the granulated sugar and 1/3 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat well. Beat in 1/4 cup ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon orange zest, and the orange juice until well mixed. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; beat until well blended. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.

  • Step 
    2
    Heat oven to 350°F. Line large cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper.
  • Step 
    3
    Onto cookie sheets, drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart (dough will be sticky).
  • Step 
    4
    Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are set. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
  • Step 
    5
    In small resealable bag, add remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the food color; seal bag and shake to color sugar. Transfer colored sugar to small bowl. Lightly brush tops of cookie with pastry brush dipped in water; dip tops in colored sugar; return sugar-side up to cooling rack for sugar to dry.
  • Step 
    6
    In medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and 1/3 cup butter until no lumps remain. Stir in 1/2 cup ricotta and 2 teaspoons orange zest until mixed well.
  • Step 
    7
    To assemble cookies, pipe or spread about 2 teaspoons filling on the flat side of one cookie; press flat side of another cookie to filling at one spot to look like an open clam. Press a piece of candied orange slice and mint leaf into filling for garnish and place on tray. Loosely cover and refrigerate about 30 minutes or until filling is firm.

Nutrition

70 Calories
3g Total Fat
1g Protein
9g Total Carbohydrate
6g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Sandwich Cookie
Calories
70
Calories from Fat
30
Total Fat
3g
5%
Saturated Fat
2g
10%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
15mg
4%
Sodium
50mg
2%
Potassium
10mg
0%
Total Carbohydrate
9g
3%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
6g
Protein
1g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
2%
2%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
0%
0%
Exchanges:
1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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