A Sugar cookie is a cookie made typically from sugar, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla, and a leavening agent. Sugar cookies may be formed by hand or rolled and cut into shapes. Cream Cheese was discovered by a New York Farmer in 1872 who was trying to replicate Neufchatel. Whoever first added Cream Cheese to a Sugar Cookie dough is to be thanked.
Sugar Cookies are a favorite at Christmas time at our house. The first cookie I ever made was a Sugar Cookie from Betty Crocker’s New Picture Cook Book, 1961 Edition. This cook book was handed down to me from a beloved Aunt. Even though I no longer make that recipe, I always think of her when I make Sugar Cookies.
Luckily, I discovered Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies that everyone in the family loves and wants on a Christmas cookie tray. The recipe for this cookie is adapted from a 2002 Taste of Home Magazine but the same recipe is available on a lot of recipe web sites.
The cream cheese adds richness to a classic sugar cookie and the cookies practically melt in your mouth.
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
3 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
In a bowl, cream butter, cream cheese and sugar. Beat in egg yolk and extract. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with your favorite cookie cutter dipped in flour. Place 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Decorate as desired. The following simple glaze may also be used for decorating. Yield: Approximately 4 dozen cookies
Glaze
1 cup Powdered sugar
2 tablespoons of water
Mix Powdered sugar and water with a spoon until a thin glaze is formed and then add food coloring to the mixture. Brush on cookies with a small brush. If desired, add sprinkles immediately as the glaze will start to harden.
Whoa! It’s cheese, and it’s green. How nice! 🙂