Cream Cheese Dainties

prep time:: 40 minutes
total time:: 1 hour, not inlcuding chill time

Makes 24-28 cookies

I remember waking up on Christmas morning, getting Greg up and racing down the stairs to see what Santa brought us. In the early years, our tree was in the living room so the loot was right there before our eyes. Santa usually had set up one or two of the toys by the tree....most likely to make sure that they worked. These cookies are another traditional holiday recipe. They are light tasting and easy. They also look festive with the cherries on top.

ingredients

1/2 cup butter or margarine
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies
red & green cherries (candied or Maraschino)

directions

1
Cream together butter, cream cheese and sugar. Add almond extract to creamed mixture.
2
Sift flour, baking powder and salt. Stir into butter mixture until just combined.
3
Chill 1-2 hours.
4
Using teaspoon size portions, shape into balls. Roll in cereal and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Top with a cherry pressed gently into the cookie.
5
Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes.