Monday, December 08, 2008

Recipe for Lemon Ricotta Biscuits



The other day we were flipping channels and stopped on the Food Network. Giada was making her grandmother's lemon ricotta biscuits. We recently made Giada's lemon ricotta cookies and fell in love, so we knew we had to try these!!

The biscuit dough was easy to make and unlike other biscuits, you bake these in muffin tins! They have the nice shape of a muffin, but the texture is similar to a biscuit. The biscuits are dense, but not crumbly. The ricotta cheese keeps these babies moist and the lemon juice and zest adds a fresh lemon flavor.

I also loved the addition of almond extract. A little goes a long way so be careful when using this stuff. You are supposed to top the biscuits with almonds, but I only added them to a few since Josh is allergic. I loved the added crunch! I didn't want the other biscuits to feel left out so I whipped up a lemon glaze to drizzle on top. I am glad I added this! It was the perfect finish!

Lemon Ricotta Biscuits

Adapted from Giada de Laurentiis

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar or more as needed for sprinkling
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/3 cup thinly sliced almonds (I only put these on a few muffins, since Josh is allergic)

Glaze:
Powdered Sugar
Lemon Zest
Lemon Juice

Whisk together in a bowl. Just eye ball the ingredients. If it is too thick add more juice!

Directions

Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or spray with cooking spray.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl to blend.

Using an electric mixer, beat 1 cup sugar, butter, and lemon zest in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the ricotta. Beat in the egg, lemon juice, and almond extract. Add the dry ingredients and stir just until blended (the batter will be thick and fluffy).

Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle the almonds and then the remaining 1 teaspoon of sugar over the muffins.

Bake until the muffins just become pale golden on top, about 20 minutes. Cool slightly and glaze. Serve warm or at room temperature.

30 comments:

  1. Yay. I am first. Nananabooboo. Oh sorry. That's in poor taste. But these muffins aren't! Hah. Since I love those lemon ricotta cookies I know I'd love these. Awesome!

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  2. yum yum!!! I love ricotta cheese. I can imagining how its unique texture mix perfectly to the rest of the ingredients.
    have a nice day! ^_^

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  3. That lemon icing is so easy to make and it goes a long way...yes, licking fingers is encouraged here!

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  4. Those look simply marvelous!

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  5. I've had that lemon ricotta cookie recipe in my "to bake" file for forever, but I think these biscuits look even better!! Especially with the icing!!

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  6. These looks just beautiful! I love the biscuit consistency but hate when its too dry so I bet these are just awesome!

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  7. Giada does good stuff!
    I love her, and have all her books.
    The lemon ricotta biscuits look awesome, just the kind of food we love.

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  8. Mmmm...these look tasty. I've never thought to bake with ricotta. Great recipe.

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  9. I love breads like this - and I actually prefer biscuits over muffins so I am bookmarking this. They look delicious.

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  10. They look so good and smooth! And that running icing... Yummy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  11. I've missed a lot of good stuff! Congrats on your TV spot! Do you have any recipes for any other type of healthy cookies?

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  12. This looks lovely!!! Love it! I would like one RIGHT NOW!

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  13. These do look delish and I love lemon everything.

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  14. Yum they look so perfect!

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  15. Oh, these have some of my very favorite things -- ricotta, almond extra, biscuity texture! They look delicious! I think I even have some ricotta at home -- I might try these as early as tonight!

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  16. Biscuits in a muffin tin -- so clever! And they sound really delicious too!

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  17. Yum- maybe I can use the rest of my ricotta to make these. I am making your ravioli tonight! Wish me luck on rolling it out by hand!

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  18. Can't beat a good Giada recipe and I know from trying these that they turn out fantastic. Easy too, aren't they? I love your picture!

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  19. These sound delicious. What did you serve them with?

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  20. Anonymous3:54 PM

    I love your new header!

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  21. I love lemon muffins. Your biscuit recipe sounds delicious. I definately want to have a few with my morning coffee.

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  22. Yeah, I was supposed to say they look like muffins! But you can't mistake that beautiful texture for anything else ;) I'm so glad that Josh isn't allergic to almond extract!

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  23. I love these - these look absolutely great!

    -DTW
    www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

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  24. Wow, great photos! I'd never have thought of the combo, but it sounds delicious.

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  25. They do look indeed perfect and beautiful.
    I have only used once ricotta for baking, i am ookmarking this one to make.

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  26. I really love anything lemon, but my husband and son don't so I never make it. These look very good!

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  27. they could certainly pass for muffins, especially with that glaze! you and giada do nice work. :)

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  28. You know I love ricotta cakes, and I have made these many times.
    Nice and simple!

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  29. Those look really good! I like the sound of using ricotta cheese in them!

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  30. Yum! These sound really light and delicious. I always enjoy Giada's recipes. :-)

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