Lemon Ricotta Cheese Cookies

This is a delicious light and fluffy cookie
with a hint of lemon in the frosting.
The ricotta gives them a great texture.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
16 ounces ricotta cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon butter
1/2 teaspoon shortening
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon lemon extract
1/2 cup colored sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Put parchment paper on cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup of butter and sugar.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the ricotta cheese
and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda,
stir into the ricotta mixture.
Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes
before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting warm the milk,
1/2 teaspoon of butter and shortening, in a small saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until solids are melted. Remove from heat and gradually stir
in the confectioners' sugar and lemon extract.
Dip each cookie into the icing then dip in colored sugar.