Images

Cream Cheese Cutouts

Decorating cookies always puts me in a happy mood. These cookies don’t rise a lot or lose their shape, so they’re very easy to decorate.

—JULIE DAWSON GALENA, OH



PREP: 15 MIN. + CHILLING BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH + COOLING MAKES: ABOUT 7 DOZEN


cup butter, softened

package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened

cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

egg

teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2   cups all-purpose flour

FROSTING

cups confectioners’ sugar

1/3 cup butter, softened

1/2   teaspoons vanilla extract

to 3 tablespoons 2% milk

Food coloring, optional

Assorted sprinkles or candies

1. In a large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, sugar and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Refrigerate, covered, 1-2 hours or until firm enough to roll.

2. Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured cookie cutters. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake 7-8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on pans 1 minute. Remove the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

4. In a small bowl, beat confectioners’ sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to reach desired consistency. If desired, add food coloring. Decorate cookies with frosting and sprinkles.