Easter Sugar Cookies

This great sugar cookie is from Taste of Home. I never use the frosting as they are tender and delicious without it.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Yields: 36-48 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  egg yolk
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  almond extract
• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
•  tinted  frosting or   colored crystal sugar

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter, cream cheese and sugar. Beat in egg yolk and extracts. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until east to handle.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a 2-1/2 inches cookie cutter dipped in flour. Place 1 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375* for 8-10 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire rack. Decorate as desired. Yield: 4 dozen.