Goldy Bear's Red-N-Whites

Recipe from Diane Mott Davidson's culinary mystery The Cereal Murders.

• Ready In: 33 mins
• Yields: 72 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3  ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 36  strawberries, small (hulled and halved)

Directions

1. Set over to 350°F
2. In mixing bowl, beat the butter with cream cheese until well blended.
3. Beat in the sugar and vanilla, then stir in the flour until well mixed.
4. Using a 1/2-tablespoon measure, shape the mixture into small balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
5. Make a small indentation in the top of each cookie with your thumb.
6. Carefully place a strawberry half, cut side down, in each indentation.
7. Bake for 12 to 18 minutes, or until very lightly browned.
8. Cool on racks.