Cream Cheese Cookie Puzzles with Cookie Paint

By MarieR

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick; 4-ounces) butter softened
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon almond, lemon or rum extract
• 1 large egg separated
• 2 cups flour, all-purpose
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon water
• Assorted food coloring

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large bowl, combine sugar, margarine and cream cheese; beat well. Add vanilla, almond extract and 1 egg white; blend well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add flour and salt; mix well. Divide dough in half. On ungreased cookie sheet, press half of dough into a 10 x 8-inch rectangle.

In small bowl, combine reserved egg yolk and 1/2 teaspoon water. Divide into several small custard cups. or bowls. Add food coloring to each to make several assorted colors. Using paint brushes paint design on dough rectangle with egg yolk paints. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 9 to 15 minutes; remove from cookie sheet.

Repeat with remaining half of dough.