Italian Christmas Cookies

Received this in an email from Gourmet_recipes-From_around_the_world which noted these came from "Country Woman". Sounds like a nice addition to the Christmas cookie platters, something with a bit of protein rather than all simple carbohydrate.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 8 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

• COOKIES

• 1  cup butter, softened
• 2  cups sugar
• 3  eggs
• 1 (15 ounce) carton ricotta cheese
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon baking soda

• FROSTING

• 1⁄4 cup butter, softened
• 3 -4  cups confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 -4  tablespoons milk
•  colored sprinkles

Directions

1. For Cookies:.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in ricotta and vanilla.
5. Combine flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed.
6. mixture.
7. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased baking.
8. sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
9. Remove to wire racks to cool.
10. For Frosting:.
11. In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add enough.
12. milk until frosting reaches spreading consistency. Frost cooled.
13. cookies and immediately decorate with sprinkles.
14. Store in the refrigerator.