Easy Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies With Chocolate Chips & Nuts

Sugar Cookies With an Added Twist

Sugar cookies are easy to make and with a little special touches this wonderful cookie can become a family favorite. The cookies are soft and chewy and one of the best sugar cookies I have ever tasted. 

The Chocolate Chips and nuts are optional. 

Be sure to chill the dough well, and keep any extra dough in the refrigerator when you are not working with it in order to prevent it from sticking. 

CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES

1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Butter, Softened
1 (3-oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg yolk
2 cups all purpose flour
Colored sugar if desired
(Optional) 1 Bag 12 oz (or more if you like) chocolate chips
(Optional) chopped nuts of your choice

1) In large bowl, combine all ingredients except flour and colored sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add flour, mix well. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours for easier handling.

2) Heat oven to 375 degrees F. On lightly floured surface, roll out 1/3 of dough at a time to 1/8-inch thickness (keep remaining dough refrigerated.) Cut with lightly floured 2-1/2-inch round or desired shape cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Leave cookies plain or sprinkle with colored sugar.

3) Bake at 375 degrees F. for 7 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove cookie sheets. If desired, frost and decorate plain cookies.

Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

HIGH ALTITUDE (above 3500 feet) Increase flour to 2-1/4 cups. Bake as directed above.