Vanilla-Ricotta Cookies

1 lb. butter
2 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 lb. ricotta cheese
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with cooking parchment (what did I do before I discovered cooking parchment? I love this stuff!). Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine the eggs, cheese, vanilla, and salt and add to the butter mixture. Sift together the flour and baking soda and add to rest of mixture. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Cookies will be large and mound-shaped. Do not let them brown. Makes a ton.

Optional: Break up a chocolate Easter bunny (yes, there is a good use to which that stuff can be put!) into chunks and place in a small bowl. Pour a little cream over the chunks and microwave for about twenty seconds. Whisk with the tines of a fork until a shiny glaze forms. Drizzle this over cookies and let solidify.