Description
Sweet, pillowy Orange Cranberry Ricotta Cookies bring Italian bakery charm right to home kitchens. Bright citrus notes and tart cranberry gems create a delightful balance of flavors you’ll savor with every delicate, crumbly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups pancake mix
Liquid/Binding Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups water
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cookie distribution.
- Zest the orange thoroughly, capturing the vibrant citrus essence for maximum flavor infusion.
- Cream together softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
- Gently incorporate ricotta cheese into the butter mixture, ensuring a creamy and consistent texture.
- Add the fresh orange zest and dried cranberries, mixing until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Blend in flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring until a soft, cohesive cookie dough forms.
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn a delicate golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving.
- Optional: Drizzle with a light orange glaze for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- Customize the sweetness by adjusting maple syrup to your taste preference.
- Swap regular pancake mix with gluten-free alternative for dietary restrictions.
- Experiment with different protein options like bacon, turkey sausage, or vegetarian crumbles for variety.
- Prep these bites ahead of time and freeze for quick breakfast or snack options, reheating in microwave or toaster oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg