Almond Pillow Cookies

Name: Almond Pillow Cookies
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: about 4 dozen.
Ingredients: 2 cups butter, softened; 6 ounces cream cheese, softened; 2 cups sugar; 2 large egg yolks, room temperature; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; FILLING:; 1 can (8 ounces) almond paste; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 large egg white; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; Confectioners' sugar

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 40 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch YIELD: about 4 dozen.

Family and friends can't resist buttery cookies with a soft almond center. The confectioners' sugar on top looks like a dusting of snow. —Laura McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois

Ingredients

2 cups butter, softened
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large egg yolks, room temperature
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
FILLING:
1 can (8 ounces) almond paste
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg white
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg yolks and extracts. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
2. Divide dough into fourths; cover and refrigerate 2 hours or until easy to handle. In a small bowl, combine almond paste, sugar, egg white and vanilla until blended.
3. Roll 1 portion of dough to 3/8-in. thickness. Working quickly, place scant teaspoonfuls of filling 2-1/2 in. apart over half of dough. Fold dough over; press down around filling to seal. Cut out cookies using a scalloped round 2-1/4-in. cutter. Reroll scraps if desired; repeat with remaining dough and filling. Refrigerate cookies for 30 minutes or until firm.
4. Bake at 350° for 10-14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 183 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 129mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.