Strawberry Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

I had the inspiration for these cookies the other day whilst thinking about cream cheese and jelly.  Actually, strawberry cream cheese with strawberry jelly.  And how perfect that combination would be on top of a thumbprint cookie.  Oh, man, was I ever right.  These cookies are a perfect mix of soft and sweet and tender with a burst of strawberry and cream cheese.  Delicious, and pretty enough for special occasions.  Cookie recipe adapted from  Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book.


Strawberry Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies


2/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar (for rolling the dough balls)
1/4 cup Strawberry Cream Cheese
2 Tablespoons Strawberry Jam


Cream together the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until combined.  Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until well blended.  Beat in the flour slowly until all is incorporated.  Cover and chill the dough for about 1 hour.


Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Place the sugar in a small bowl.  Shape the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls (a small cookie scoop works well here).  Roll dough balls in the sugar and place on the prepared baking sheet.  Using the back of a teaspoon, make an indentation in the top of each dough ball (the teaspoon helps to create indentations with a uniform size and shape).  Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.  Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.


While the cookies are cooling, stir together the cream cheese and jam in a small bowl.  When the cookies have cooled, fill each indentation with the cream cheese mixture.  Makes about 2 dozen cookies.


Enjoy!  -Cardamommy