Pan-Fried Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Sugar Crunch
Lightly pan-fried ricotta cookies with a fresh lemon flavor, topped with a sweet sugar crust for a crisp finish. This Italian-American-inspired recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, layers ricotta cheese, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, and 1 tbsp lemon zest until smooth and combined.
- Step 2: Sift in 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1 tsp baking powder, folding gently until just combined to form a soft dough.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until melted and foamy.
- Step 4: Using a tablespoon, scoop dough and flatten slightly to form small patties about 2 inches wide. Place them in the skillet, spacing apart.
- Step 5: Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and a crust forms. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.








