Prepare the Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Set this mixture aside to be added to the wet ingredients later.

Cream the Butter and Sugars

• In a large mixing bowl, beat together ½ cup of softened unsalted butter, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, and ¼ cup of brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Continue mixing for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Add Ricotta Cheese, Egg, and Flavorings

• Add 1 cup of ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and the zest of 1 orange (about 1 tablespoon) to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until smooth and well combined. Then add 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice and mix again to incorporate the citrusy goodness.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until everything is fully combined. You should have a thick, creamy dough at this point. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies dense.

Fold in the Chocolate Chips (and Optional Add-ins)

• Gently fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring that they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. If you are adding chopped nuts, mix them in at this stage for a little extra crunch.

Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

• Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and results in a softer, chewier texture once baked.

Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This ensures that your cookies won’t stick to the baking sheets and will bake evenly.

Shape the Cookies

• Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If you prefer smaller or larger cookies, you can adjust the size accordingly, but remember that baking times may vary slightly based on the size.

Bake the Cookies

• Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear set. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they still look a little soft when you remove them from the oven.

Cool the Cookies

• Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them maintain their shape while still being soft and chewy.

Serve and Enjoy!

• Once the cookies have cooled, they’re ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with a glass of milk, a hot cup of tea, or simply on their own for a sweet treat.