Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Every year at Christmas, I go into cookie baking mode. I have several recipes that I like to make during that time of the year only and this is one of them. Last year, I found a "mitten" cookie cutter and made this as gifts and one friend said, "oh man, this isn't just a great cookie this is THE BEST COOKIE I HAVE EVER EATEN IN MY LIFE". This probably is my all-time favorite cookie because it is so delicious. You can see by this picture that my decorating skills are lacking. That's ok with me. Nobody complained they were too busy enjoying the cookies!

Cook time: 15 Min Prep time: 2 Hr Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

1 c sugar

1 c butter, softened

3 oz cream cheese, softened (do not use low fat or fat free...the consistency won't be right!)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp almond extract

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg yolk

2 c all-purpose flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, extracts, and egg yolk.

2. Blend well.

3. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup, and level off to measure.

4. Stir in flour until blended.

5. Cover with plastic wrap and shape into a disk. Refrigerate for about 2 hours or overnight.

6. Heat oven to 350. On a lightly floured board, roll out dough, 1/3 at a time, to 1/8 inch thickness. (Keep remaining dough refrigerated).

7. Cut into desired shapes with floured cutters. Place 1 inch apart on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Leave cookies plain or sprinkle with sugar crystals at this point. Bake for 7- 10 minutes or until a light golden brown.