Ricotta Cheese Cookies

Description
Simply the best!

Ingredients

 * 2 cups sugar
 * 1 cup margarine or butter, softened
 * 1 (15 ounces) container ricotta cheese
 * 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
 * 2 large eggs
 * 4 cups all-purpose flour
 * 2 tablespoons baking powder
 * 1 teaspoon salt

Icing

 * 1½ cups confectioners' sugar
 * 3 tablespoons milk
 * colored sprinkles (red and green)

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 350°F.
 * 2) In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat sugar and margarine or butter until blended.
 * 3) Increase speed to high; beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
 * 4) At medium speed, beat in ricotta, vanilla, and eggs until well combined.
 * 5) Reduce speed to low.
 * 6) Add flour, baking powder, and salt; beat until dough forms.
 * 7) Drop dough by level tablespoons, about 2 inches apart,onto ungreased large cookie sheet.
 * 8) Bake about 15 minutes or until cookies are very lightly golden (cookies will be soft).
 * 9) With pancake turner, remove cookies to wire rack to cool.
 * 10) Repeat with remaining dough.
 * 11) When cookies are cool, prepare icing: in small bowl, stir confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth.
 * 12) With small metal spatula or knife, spread icing on cookies; sprinkle with red or green sugar crystals.
 * 13) Set cookies aside to allow icing to dry completely, about 1 hour.