1-Getting started: Getting started with orange ricotta cookies is as easy as preheating your oven, and we’ll walk through each step to ensure your baking session is smooth and fun. Begin by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cooking. This recipe, which yields about 5 dozen cookies, is straightforward and ready in around 42 minutes total.

2-Cream together: First, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and eggs on medium speed until light and fluffy. Next, add the ricotta cheese and blend until smooth, then mix in the vanilla extract, orange extract, and orange zest for that zesty punch. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to combine the dry ingredients evenly.

3-Mix and bake: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until a dough forms don’t overmix to keep the cookies soft. Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them out for proper rising. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden, then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack lined with parchment paper.

4-Adding the Glaze: Once cooled, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, 4 tablespoons of orange juice, vanilla extract, and orange extract until smooth. If needed, add up to 5 tablespoons of orange juice to get the right consistency it should ribbon off a fork nicely. Spoon or dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze and let it set before storing.