Silver Bells Lemon Cherry Teacakes

Silver Bells Lemon Cherry Teacakes

INGREDIENTS:

• ¾ cup softened butter
• ¼ cup softened cream cheese
• ½ cup of confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup of dried cherries
• Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
• ½ cup canned cream cheese icing

DIRECTIONS:

In a stand mixer, mix together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Mix in lemon extract and confectioners’ sugar. Sift together flour and salt and mix into creamed butter/sugar mixture. Gently stir in dried cherries and chill for an hour. Form dough into (about 2 inch)balls, flatten with the bottom of a glass or mug, dredge in confectioner’s sugar and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (cookies won’t spread). Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook 12-15 minutes until set but not browned. Place the cookies on a cooling rack resting over a baking pan. Spoon canned icing into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 15-20 seconds. Stir until smooth and then pour a thin coating over the cookies. Let stand on the rack until the icing hardens. Dust with confectioner’s sugar and garnish with dried cherries.