Cream Cheese Cut-Out Cookies With Almond Frosting

A great "sugar" coookie! The cream cheese makes them so soft and wonderful! I've substituted vanilla for the almond extract in the frosting when I didn't have any on hand without any problems.

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Serves: 40
• Yields: 3 + dozen cookies

Ingredients

• Cookies

• 1  cup butter, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract
• 3 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder

• Frosting

• 2  cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2  tablespoons butter, softened
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  almond extract
• 4 -5  teaspoons milk

Directions

1. Beat butter and cream cheese until well combined.
2. Add sugar, beat until fluffy.
3. Add egg, vanilla, almond extract; beat well.
4. In medium bowl mix flour and baking powder (or sift).
5. Add flour mixture to cream cheese mizture; beat until well combined.
6. Divide dough in half.
7. Cover and chill 1 1/2 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
8. On floured surface roll dough to 1/8" thickness & cut with cookie cutters.
9. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
10. Bake in 375 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned.
11. Remove to wire racks to cool.
12. FROSTING:.
13. In bowl beat powdered sugar, butter, and almond extract until smooth.
14. Beat in enough milk until frosting is of piping consistency. For spreadable frosting, add a little more milk.
15. Stir in a few drops of food coloring, if desired.