Grandm’s Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Grandma’s Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies Prep: 30 minutes plus chilling Bake: 10 minutes a batch plus cooling Makes: 4 dozen Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened 3 oz. cream Cheese, softened 1 cup Sugar 1 large egg yolk, room temperature 1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. Almond extract 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. Salt 1/4 tsp. Baking soda 1/8 tsp. Ground nutmeg Icing 3 1/4 cups of confectioners’ Sugar 1/3 cup of water 4 tsp. Meringue powder Associated colors of liquid Food coloring Directions: 1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Bear in egg yolk and extracts. Combine the flour, salt, baking soda and nutmeg; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle. 2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. Thickness. Cut with floured 2 1/2 inch cookie cutters. 3. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees until edges begin to brown, 8-10 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. 4. For the icing, on a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, water, and meringue powder; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high until soft peaks form, 4 minutes. Cover the icing with damp paper towels or plastic wrap between uses. 5. Working quickly, spread or pipe the icing over cookies; let dry at room temperature for several hours or until firm. Use small new paintbrushes or toothpicks and food coloring to make designs on the cookies. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container. Note: Meringue powder is available from Wilton Industries. Visit Wilton.com or call 800-794-5866. 1 cookie is 116 calories, 5 g of fat (3 g of sat. Fat), 16 mg of cholesterol, 66 mg of sodium, 18 g carb. (13 g sugars, 0 g fiber), 1 g pro.