6.22.2011

Meyer Lemon Ricotta Cookies


Give this girl a food gift and you have a best friend for life! And when I received a package of Meyer lemons from my dear friend Sherry from California, I was beyond myself with happiness. As I was skipping and hopping around the house shrieking with joy, sniffing and cuddling the box, my four children stared with worry.

I have so many ideas from my facebook friends, I think I may do lemon recipe for a whole month! And since Sherry grows these wonderful lemons in her backyard, she has some fantastic Meyer lemon recipes on her site, too.

So, how about this Meyer Lemon Ricotta Cookies as a starter?





Put the glaze in a storage bag, snip the corner and drizzling makes it a bit quicker when making a large batch.

You will absolutely love the soft, lemony cookie with the glaze.




Meyer Lemon Ricotta Cookies
Makes 3 1/2 Dozens


2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 lemon, zested (Meyer lemon if available)

Glaze:

1 1/2 cups confectioner sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 lemon, zested

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In the large bowl combine the butter and the sugar. Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients. Do not over mix.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon the dough (about 2 tablespoons for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.

Glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. Pack the cookies into a decorative container.

Make Ahead:
Measure out dry and wet ingredients separately and it makes it so easy on the day of baking.
Or bake the cookies and freeze. On the day of serving, make and glaze the cookies at least a few hours ahead.

17 comments:

  1. Gorgeious cookies, Kay! Love the ricotta addition, and the citrus flavor. You are all so lucky to get Meyer's lemon...unfortunately we only get the Florida lemons, since we have an abundance of them here, in S. Florida. Lovely photos, as always:D

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  2. Seems like I just found *the* perfect summer cookie! Thank you, Kay!

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  3. I bet these cookies just melt in your mouth! I'm definitely a lemon lover and this recipe sounds amazing, Kay! What a lovely gift from your friend:)

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  4. This is Annie, Becky's daughter. We just pulled these cookies out of the oven, and I have to say, they are absolutely delicious! Thanks for this recipe. I am sure we will be making me more often from now on :)
    -Annie

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  5. Kay, I just saw this! I AM SO EXCITED about these cookies - I will try them this weekend. Glad that you are enjoying the Meyer lemons!

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  6. kay... do you know how jealous i get every time i see a house here in CA with their own meyer lemon tree? It's definitely on my wish list. You have a nice friend who sends you lemons! I made lemon cookies with ricotta before and they are delish! Yours look so good.

    julie

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  7. @Annie, I hope you left some to glaze? :0)
    And my humble thanks, dear friends for your sweet comments.
    @Melissa, I pray you and your young ones are well! Thanks for your visit.

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  8. These look so delicious and your photos are wonderful! A friend who will send you a package of Meyer lemons is a good friend in my book. :) You are blessed.

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  9. Oh wow, these sound delicious and are so pretty! I love anything lemon and the glaze on these just puts them over the top in my book!! I need to make these soon!! I would love to see a month of lemon posts to get some new lemon recipe ideas!!

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  10. These looks great ...and your pictures make me pucker! I love anything lemon so keep those recipe's coming!

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  11. I love anything made of lemon----
    One word for your cookies."Yummilicious"!!!

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  12. Oh, I am a big fan of lemon zests! These Meyer Lemon Ricotta Cookies look awesome. yes, I'd have them as my starter for sure! Loved the recipe.

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  13. Beautiful cookies, Kay. I bet they melt in your mouth. Don't know that I've ever had a meyer lemon. I would love to try them and will watch at Whole Foods to see if they carry them.

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  14. Made 'em, and they're GREAT! I live in So Calif. so have access to Meyers (lucky me!). They're very good naked, and GREAT with the glaze on! Thank you! (I am going to list these as one of my favorite things for August, and link to you.)

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  15. oh these sound fabulous, I make lemon ricotta cupcakes :) and they are always a huge hit. I can't wait to try these!

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