Italian Christmas Cookies

Italian Christmas Cookies
1 cup softened butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
15 ounce carton ricotta cheese
1 tsp, vanilla extract or almond or orange
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda

Cream together butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after adding each one. Beat in the ricotta and flavoring of choice. In another bowl combine the flour, salt and soda then gradually add to the creamed mixture. Blend well.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes OR until lightly browned. About 9 minutes in my oven. It helps if you know how your oven heats and what altitude you are in. Remove the cookies to cool on wire racks.

Frosting
1/4  cup softened butter
3 to 4 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 to 4 tsp. milk
couple of drops of food coloring or colored sprinkles or both

Cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla. I'm going to use orange flavoring since I am adding almond to the cookies and I like the two flavors together (mom). Add milk gradually until you get a nice spreading consistency. Frost cooled cookies and immediately decorate with sprinkles. Store in the refrigerator. Yields 8.5 dozen.


Note from mom: I think I'll switch out the usual vanilla flavoring for almond flavoring. I love almond flavor. Maybe there is some Italian in my genetic background that no one has ever told me about.