Cream Cheese Cutout Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Almond Frosting

• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 to 5 teaspoons milk

Instructions

Cookies

1. Combine butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Beat until fluffy.
2. Add sugar and beat until fluffy.
3. Add egg, vanilla extract and almond extract. Beat well.
4. In a medium bowl, stir together flour and baking powder.
5. Add flour mixture to cream cheese and beat until well mixed. The dough will be stiff—add a little milk, if necessary.
6. Divide dough in half.
7. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours.
8. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
9. On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut with desired cookie cutter.
10. Bake on greased cookie sheets for 8 to 10 minutes.
11. Remove to wire rack and cool.
12. Spread or decorate with Almond Frosting.

Almond Frosting

1. In small mixing bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter and almond extract until fluffy.
2. Beat in enough milk to make a spreadable consistency, adding more milk if ecessary.
3. Stir in food coloring, if desired.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin