If you’re looking for a cookie that perfectly balances soft, cake-like texture with rich, melty pockets of chocolate, this Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is going to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. Using ricotta cheese in the dough gives these cookies a wonderfully tender crumb and subtle freshness that really sets them apart from your average chocolate chip cookie. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon treat or an impressive dessert to share, these cookies deliver on both flavor and texture with ease and charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple but incredibly important, each playing a crucial role in bringing the Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe to life. From the tender richness of ricotta cheese to the sweet crunch of chocolate chips, everything combines to create that perfect cookie experience.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure and foundation of the cookie dough for that perfect balance of chewy and cakey.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise lightly and results in a soft, airy crumb.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Adds a touch of lift and aids in achieving golden edges.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances flavors, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Brings richness and moisture, ensuring a tender cookie.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens and contributes to the cookie’s delightful texture.
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk): The star ingredient that adds moisture, softness, and a subtle tanginess.
- 1 large egg: Binds ingredients together and enriches the dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and depth of flavor.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Sweet, melty bits of chocolate that make every bite irresistible.
How to Make Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking and makes cleanup a breeze — setting you up for success before mixing a single ingredient.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step is essential to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt so your cookies bake consistently and develop the perfect texture throughout.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Next, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which gives the cookies that tender crumb and delightful softness that ricotta only helps to enhance.
Step 4: Add Ricotta, Egg, and Vanilla
Stir in the ricotta cheese, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until smooth and fully combined. The ricotta adds moisture and a slight tang, while the egg binds everything together perfectly, creating a luscious dough.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here — you want to keep the dough tender and avoid tough cookies.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips so they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. These little morsels soften and melt beautifully while baking, becoming pockets of sweet delight in every bite.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown. The centers should still be soft, promising a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes — this helps them set without losing their softness — then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready for warm, irresistibly tender bites!
How to Serve Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving can add a classy touch and a subtle contrast to the rich chocolate chips and creamy ricotta base. For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle a bit of melted dark chocolate or a simple caramel sauce on top.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a cup of freshly brewed espresso. The creamy notes from the ricotta harmonize beautifully with hot, rich coffee or tea, making them the perfect companion for your afternoon break.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve these cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla bean gelato or fresh berries. You can also sandwich two cookies with whipped cream or Nutella to create an irresistible ricotta chocolate chip cookie sandwich that’s sure to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll maintain their soft and cake-like texture for up to 4 days, perfect for enjoying through the week.
Freezing
If you’d like to save these cookies for longer, they freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen cookies will stay fresh for up to 3 months — just thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked feel, warm your cookies in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds. This revives their softness and makes the chocolate chips irresistibly melty again.
FAQs
Can I use part-skim ricotta instead of whole milk ricotta?
While whole milk ricotta brings the creamiest texture and best flavor, part-skim ricotta can work in a pinch. Just be aware the cookies might turn out slightly less rich and tender.
Will these cookies be chewy or crunchy?
Thanks to the ricotta cheese, these cookies have a soft, cake-like texture with tender edges rather than being crunchy. They’re perfect if you love a soft cookie experience.
Can I substitute chocolate chips with chunks or other mix-ins?
Absolutely! You can swap semi-sweet chips for mini chips for more even chocolate distribution, or try dark chocolate chunks, white chocolate, or even toasted nuts to customize the flavor and texture.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
There’s no need to chill the dough for this particular recipe. The ricotta keeps the dough moist and workable enough to drop straight onto the baking sheet.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe yields about 24 cookies, making it perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying multiple times throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about these Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe — they combine classic flavors with a unique, tender twist thanks to the ricotta, making every bite a little slice of heaven. I can’t wait for you to try making them yourself and experience that delightful softness and rich chocolatey goodness. Happy baking!
Print
Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Ricotta Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, cake-like treats that combine the creamy richness of ricotta cheese with classic semi-sweet chocolate chips, resulting in a moist and tender dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and baking sheets. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined, ensuring a uniform texture in the dough.
- Cream butter and sugar. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add ricotta, egg, and vanilla. Incorporate the ricotta cheese, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until the batter is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing which can produce tough cookies.
- Fold in chocolate chips. Carefully fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies. Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still soft.
- Cool before serving. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm.
Notes
- Ricotta cheese keeps these cookies soft and gives them a moist, cake-like texture.
- You can substitute mini chocolate chips for more even distribution of chocolate throughout the cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies and thaw them before serving.
