Holiday Card Recipe Exchange

Per Nana~
Since I did not read the information about the cookie exchange correctly, I did not include a recipe with my cards.  However I would like to share this with you now. 

About 19 years ago, before I retired, a co-worker gave me this recipe for Italian Ricotta cookies. I have made them every Christmas since then and passed the recipe to my granddaughters. (My own Tricia is not interested because she knows I will be making them, so why bother.) 

The four grandchildren have renamed them "Nana Cookies" and when I mention that I might skip them each year, they all have something to say about that. 

Italian Ricotta Cookies

1. Cream together 1/2 lb butter and 2 cups of sugar. Add 2 eggs, one 15 oz container of Ricotta Cheese, 1 tsp vanilla and mix well.
2. Sift together 4 1/2 cups of flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt. 
3. Combine the two mixtures and drop by a teaspoonful onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. (Do not use a cookie scoop)
4. Bake 8-12 minutes in a 350 degree oven, until set. Bottom of cookie should be lightly browned. 
5. Frost with mixture of confectioner's sugar, milk and almond flavoring  (see below)

Frosting

•  1 1/2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar. Very important to SIFT.
• 3 1/2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Drizzle over the cookies and then tope with colored sugar sprinkles.

 I used red and green for the holiday. Enjoy !

Per Tricia~

I will admit that I wasn't sure how this recipe exchange was going to work,

 or that I would have time for another "to do" during the busy holiday season- 

but I knew how fun the card exchange had been in prior years so there 

was no way I was going to sit this one out.

Dorista cards proudly displayed on my pantry door in the kitchen ~

As each holiday card came through with a shared recipe I found that it 

was even more special than I could have anticipated.The reality that tried 

and true (or family recipes, or both) recipes were being exchanged by a 

group of folks that are clearly dedicated to finding only the best recipes 

...hit home. The "street cred" of the Doristas is quite high, so when they

 have shared something to make in the kitchen it carries some value. 

 I can easily and honestly say I plan to make every single recipe.

These do not get "mixed in" the general population of holiday cards !

                         

I also shared with my family that I was surprisingly touched by the sentiment

 that was mailed along with these recipes and now when I plan to make a dish

 it will be because these are "Cher's Peanut Butter Cookies" or "Teresa's 

Whipped Shortbread" or "Guyla's  special cocktail- the Apple Cider Sidecar".  

Yup- this already much enjoyed card tradition actually became even more 

special this year. Thanks to all that shared ~whether it was a card, a recipe

 or simply joining in our French Friday adventures at some point this year !

I ultimately selected Tammy Circeo's Lemon Sugar Cookies

 because frankly, they had me at their name. I LOVE lemon and

 the sugary lemony combo for a cookie sealed the decision. 

They did not disappoint. Crazy easy and so, so yummy.

 My entire family enjoyed them and I took a container to Nana's for 

Christmas Eve, where she and my Dad both gave rave reviews too. The 

subtle lemon flavor has a great balance to the original sugar cookie recipe. 

This is a keeper for sure. 

Thanks Tammy !