Cream cheese cookies have been a favorite of mine since I was a little girl. My mother was a great baker which probably came from her own love of cakes, pies and, cookies. At our house there were some desserts that didn’t get made except at Christmas. One was fruit cake – not my favorite – and a variety of yummy Christmas cookies with my favorite being Cream Cheese Cookies. They are not only tasty, they are fun to make and quite different from most Christmas cookies. Every time I make them, I remember my mom’s love of preparing sweets for her family. They brought her joy because her family loved her desserts and she loved sharing them with others. I make these cookies at Christmas and share them, along with other home-made cookies, with our family as my mom did.

The recipe for my mom Josie’s Cream Cheese Cookies

1-8oz pkg. cream cheese, softened and 2 sticks of butter, softened – blend thoroughly together

Add 2 c. sifted flour; 4 tbsp. sugar and 1 tsp vanilla to the cream cheese mixture. Blend well.

Refrigerate in a covered bowl until thoroughly chilled.

With floured hands, shape into balls the size of a large walnut and place on a greased sheet.

Press a hole in the center with your thumb and fill with your favorite jam or jelly.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake until lightly browned – about 12 minutes.

They are delicate so remove gently and let cool before eating. The jam will be very hot.

Notes

I use strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and peach jams. Jelly works as well but bubbles over.

When cooled, I refrigerate them in a covered container and warm to room temp before serving.

~ Nancy Shaw

Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Prayer

Most Gracious God, we thank You for spiritual gifts now and for the promise you will strengthen us to the end because You are ever faithful. Amen.