Ever wondered how to marry the tartness of cherries with the creaminess of cheese into a delightful treat? Look no further! Cherry Cream Cheese Cookies are the perfect combination of sweet and tangy, guaranteed to satisfy your cravings and impress your guests. These cookies are easy to make and sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
**Cherry Cream Cheese Cookies**
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup cherry preserves
– Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Dough:**
– In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
– Add the cream cheese, egg, and vanilla extract to the mixture, beating until well combined.
– In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
2. **Chill the Dough:**
– Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk.
– Wrap the disks in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
3. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. **Shape the Cookies:**
– On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
– Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, such as hearts or rounds.
– Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
5. **Fill the Cookies:**
– Make a small indentation in the center of each cookie using your thumb or the back of a spoon.
– Fill each indentation with a small spoonful of cherry preserves, being careful not to overfill.
6. **Bake the Cookies:**
– Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
– Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. **Finish the Cookies:**
– If desired, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation.
Enjoy these Cherry Cream Cheese Cookies with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. These cookies also make a lovely gift for friends and family – just be prepared to share the recipe, as they are sure to be a hit!
