Best Italian Cookies

cookinrooky's Note:

This is a delicious and very moist cookie with an ingredient that you would not expect!! This is a special one for ZWT '06!

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 36 cookies

• ½ cup butter , softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Frosting

• 2 tablespoons butter , softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and ricotta cheese. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into the cheese mixture. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are golden. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. In a medium bowl, cream together the remaining butter and confectioners' sugar. Beat in vanilla and milk gradually until a spreadable consistency is reached. Frost cooled cookies.