Rich Ricotta Cookies

Time to impress your family and guests at the holidays. These cookies taste like you put a huge amount of effort into them yet are simple to prepare and bake. Rich Ricotta Cookies ½ cup butter (1 stick) 1 cup granulated sugar ½ teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup ricotta cheese 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cups finely chopped, candied mixed fruit 1/3 cup chopped nuts, your choice. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg, vanilla, and ricotta cheese. Combine the flour and salt. Mix this into the ricotta mixture. Drop by rounded teaspoons on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes our until sides are slightly golden. Cool cookies on wire rack and glaze with orange icing. Orange Icing 1 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon finely shredded orange zest 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon orange extract. Mix all ingredients together until smooth and drizzle over cookies. Let icing set before serving.