Ingredients
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 8 oz cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– Your favorite jam or preserves for filling (raspberry, strawberry, or apricot work wonderfully)
Equipment Needed
– Mixing bowls
– Electric mixer or whisk
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Baking sheets
– Parchment paper
– A small round teaspoon or cookie scoop
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, I cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it helps incorporate air into the mixture, resulting in those light and delicate cookies we crave. Once that’s nicely mixed, I add in the granulated sugar and vanilla, beating them together until well combined. This is where the sweet aromas start to fill the kitchen! (See the next page below to continue steps…)