Pecan Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup pecans, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit.
2. Beat butter and sugar together, in bowl, until creamy and fluffy.
3. Gradually add the flour until well mixed in, then salt, vanilla and pecans.

4. Shape level teaspoons of dough into 2-inch-long fingers.
5. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
7. Cool before eating.

Ricotta Cookies

"Delicate Italian ricotta cookies with an almond flavored glaze. Very good!"

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound butter
• 1 3/4 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup colored candy sprinkles

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together butter, sugar, eggs, ricotta cheese, and vanilla extract. Combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda; blend into the creamed mixture, mixing in additional flour as necessary to form a workable dough. Roll dough into teaspoon-sized balls, and arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned.
4. In a medium bowl, beat milk, confectioners' sugar, and almond extract until smooth. Spoon over warm cookies, and sprinkle with colored candy sprinkles.

Pizzelles!

According to history, the first pizzella was made in the region of Abruzzo (geographically located in Central Italy) back in the 8th century. This highly recognizable cookie gets its shape by flattening the batter between two hot iron plates (just like waffles). These plates (rectangular or round) often had the pattern of the family crest engraved on them. Nowadays, the imprint can be a geometric/waffle design, a flower or even a snowflake pattern. 

"This recipe calls for a batter-like dough and is baked on a pizzelle iron. Powdered sugar adds an elegant touch. In the Italian version, vanilla is replaced by anise. Chocolate may also be used."

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla. Sift together the flour and baking powder, and blend into the batter until smooth.
2. Heat the pizzelle iron, and brush with oil. Drop about one tablespoon of batter onto each circle on the iron. You may need to experiment with the amount of batter and baking time depending on the iron. Bake for 20 to 45 seconds, or until steam is no longer coming out of the iron. Carefully remove cookies from the iron. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
3. For chocolate pizzelles, add 1/4 cup cocoa sifted together with flour and baking powder, 1/4 cup more sugar and 1/4 teaspoon more baking powder. I find that for the chocolate mixture, the iron must be well oiled to start and then brush on more as needed.