FLUFFY RICOTTA COOKIES DUSTED WITH POWDERED SUGAR

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Prepare the dough:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the ricotta cheese, softened butter, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract (and lemon zest, if using).

Combine the dry and wet ingredients:

1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. The dough will be slightly sticky.

Shape the cookies:

1. Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You don’t need to flatten the dough, as the cookies will spread slightly during baking.

Bake the cookies:

1. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges. They should still be soft in the center.

Dust with powdered sugar:

1. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch.

Serve:

1. Serve these fluffy ricotta cookies as a sweet treat with coffee, tea, or as a part of a dessert spread.