Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Book: The Sweet Dream

Cookie Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder

Icing Ingredients:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp jam (optional for coloring and flavor)
• food coloring (optional)
• sprinkles for decorating (optional)

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream sugar, butter, and cream cheese and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat until smooth.
2. Stir together flour and baking powder, add to creamed mixture and mix thoroughly.
3. For cut-out cookies, chill dough. Roll out on a surface dusted with a mixture of 1/2 powdered sugar and 1/2 flour. Roll to desired thickness and cut into desired shape.
4. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake in 375F oven 8-10 minutes. Watch for the edges to barely begin to brown if you like a moist cookie. Cool on rack.
5. For Icing: Beat together powdered sugar, butter, milk, and flavorings. Tint with color or jam, if desired. (I used strawberry jam in the ones above). Add small amounts of milk and/or powdered sugar to get your desired consistency. 
6. Ice cookies and decorate.
7. Enjoy!