Ricotta Almond Cookies

Makes: 4
Cooking Time: 11 min

What You'll Need:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 pound whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 stick butter-flavored shortening
• 2 teaspoons almond extract, divided
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3 teaspoons water
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds for garnish

What To Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat baking sheets with cooking spray.
   
   
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
   
   
3. In another large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together eggs, sugar, ricotta cheese, shortening, and 1 teaspoon almond extract, until smooth. Alternately add flour mixture and chopped almonds to ricotta mixture, and beat until well blended. Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
   
   
4. Bake 11 to 13 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are golden. Remove to a wire rack and let cool completely before frosting.
   
   
5. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, remaining almond extract, and water; mix well until smooth. Drizzle cooled cookies with frosting and sprinkle with sliced almonds.