YULETIDE CHERRY COOKIES

Yuletide Cherry Cookies image

Crispy on the outside, these eye-catching cherry-topped cookies are chewy and tender on the inside. They're a big hit whenever I take them to holiday parties or cookie exchanges! -Verna Hofer, Mitchell, South Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 35m

Yield 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup crushed crisp rice cereal
15 red and/or green maraschino cherries, halved and patted dry

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar. Beat in almond extract. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle., Shape dough into 1-in. balls; roll in crushed cereal. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a cherry half into the center of each cookie. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 72 calories, Fat 4g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 69mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.