Italian Christmas Cookies

Italian Christmas Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

3 large eggs

1 carton [ 15 ounces ] ricotta cheese

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

4 cups of plain flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

Frosting

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 to 4 cups icing sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 to 4 tbsp. milk

coloured sugar [optional golden caster sugar]

Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the ricotta and vanilla. Combine flour with the salt and baking soda. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Heat oven to 180C. Drop rounded tea-spoons of mixture onto prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 – 12 mins until lightly brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Topping. In a large bowl, cream butter, icing sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach spreading con-sistency. Frost cooled cookies and sprinkle with sugar. Store in a cool place. Makes quite a few cookies.

 

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