If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s delightfully soft, a little different, and packed with irresistible flavor, you’re going to love this Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. The ricotta cheese brings a lush, tender crumb that transforms every bite into a dreamy treat. This recipe balances the rich creaminess of ricotta with classic semi-sweet chocolate chips, delivering cookies that feel both indulgent and fresh—a perfect twist on the beloved chocolate chip cookie you’ll want to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple but each plays a crucial role in giving your Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe their signature texture and taste. From the creamy ricotta to the lightly golden butter, every item adds its own magic.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of your cookie, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and adds lightness to the texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances flavors and enhances the sweetness of the chocolate chips.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies just right, making them perfectly indulgent.
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese: The superstar ingredient that makes these cookies tender and wonderfully moist.
- 1 large egg: Binds the dough together and contributes to the soft texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, comforting aroma that lifts every bite.
- 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: The classic chocolate bursts that make these cookies utterly irresistible.
How to Make Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This step evenly distributes the leavening agent and salt to create a perfectly balanced cookie.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until your mixture turns light and fluffy. This process introduces air into the dough, giving your cookies a tender, soft texture.
Step 3: Add Ricotta, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, mix in the ricotta cheese, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is combined smoothly. The ricotta adds moisture and tenderness, the egg binds ingredients, and the vanilla brings warmth and depth to your cookie flavor.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring just until everything is incorporated. Over-mixing can make cookies tough, so you want to be gentle here. Fold in your chocolate chips last, making sure they’re evenly spread throughout your dough.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the lined baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers look set. The timing is key to ensure soft, cakey cookies that still hold together beautifully.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps the cookies firm up just enough without losing their tender quality.
How to Serve Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies stand beautifully on their own, you can sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the warm cookies right after baking for an exciting sweet-salty contrast. Alternatively, dust them lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant touch before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair these luscious Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe treats with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea. They’re the perfect companion for cozy afternoons, adding a comforting sweetness that matches perfectly with your favorite beverages.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful by sandwiching two cookies with a spread of Nutella, jam, or even more ricotta mixed with honey for a stunning and decadent dessert. You could also crumble them over vanilla ice cream for an easy, delicious topping that adds texture and flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to four days, ready whenever you need a sweet pick-me-up.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, you can freeze these cookies for up to three months. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking. Thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked feel, warm your cookies in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps restore their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
FAQs
Can I use part-skim ricotta instead of whole milk ricotta in the Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?
Yes, you can use part-skim ricotta, but whole milk ricotta offers more richness and moisture which contributes to the cookies’ soft cake-like texture. Using part-skim might result in a slightly drier cookie, so keep an eye on the baking time.
Is it possible to substitute chocolate chips with other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap chocolate chips for dried fruit, nuts, or white chocolate chunks. Each variation brings its own twist, though classic semi-sweet chocolate chips offer the best contrast with the creamy ricotta.
Do I need to refrigerate the cookie dough before baking?
This Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe doesn’t require chilling the dough. You can bake immediately after mixing, which makes it great for quick cookie cravings or last-minute baking sessions.
Why is baking soda used instead of baking powder?
Baking soda reacts with the acid in ricotta, helping the cookies rise just enough without becoming cakey or fluffy like a cake. It gives a perfect balance to the soft yet slightly structured texture of these cookies.
Can I add flavors like cinnamon or citrus zest?
Yes! Adding a pinch of cinnamon or some orange zest to the dough can enhance the flavor profile beautifully. These subtle additions complement the creamy ricotta and chocolate, making your cookies even more special.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve got this wonderful Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe in your baking arsenal, I truly hope you give it a try soon. These cookies offer something a little unique yet wonderfully familiar, perfect for sharing with friends, gifting, or just indulging yourself with the comfort of something homemade and delicious. I promise, once you taste them, they’ll quickly become a new favorite!
Print
Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy soft and delicious Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies, featuring a unique cake-like texture thanks to creamy ricotta cheese. These American-style cookies combine the perfect balance of sweetness and richness with semi-sweet chocolate chips, making them an irresistible dessert treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This will help evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt throughout the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender texture.
- Add Ricotta, Egg, and Vanilla: Beat in the whole milk ricotta cheese, large egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined, contributing moisture and richness to the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until incorporated, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender cookie.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheets: Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- These cookies have a soft, cake-like texture thanks to the ricotta cheese.
- For added flavor, try mixing in a pinch of cinnamon or orange zest into the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
