Cream Cheese Dainties

Mary Scheffert's Note:

Found this recipe in a magazine - they sounded yummy & I thought they would be a great addition to any holiday cookie plate!

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 36 cookies

• 3 ounces fat free cream cheese
• ½ cup margarine
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups finely crushed almonds
• maraschino cherry , cut into quarters

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cream together cream cheese, margarine,& sugar; add almond extract.
3. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder& salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.
4. Chill dough at least 1 hour.
5. Shape dough into 1" balls; roll in crushed almonds& place 1 1/2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Top each with a cherry slice.
7. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned on bottoms.