Recipe: Ricotta Cookies

RICOTTA COOKIES
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup margarine or butter,softened
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 15-oz. carton ricotta cheese (2 cups)

Frosting:
1 3-oz. pkg.cream cheese,softened
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 tsp.vanilla
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
preheat oven to 350 degrees
To make cookies: In a large mixing bowl, beat the granulated sugar and the 1 cup margarine or butter with an electric mixer on med. to high speed until combined. Add the eggs and the 2 tsp. vanilla; beat until creamy. Add half of the flour, the baking soda and salt: beat until well blended. Stir in the remaining flour and the ricotta cheese. Drop the dough by rounded tbsp. 2 inches apart, onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in the oven for about 12 min. or until bottoms of the cookies are browned. The cookie tops should not brown. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool.
Frosting: Beat together the cream cheese, the 1/2 cup margarine and the 1 tsp. vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar; mix well. Spread the frosting on the cooled cookies. If disired, sprinkle with ground nutmeg. Store the frosted cookies, covered, in the refrigerator.