Ladybugs and Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

I had to share one last picture of my ladybugs that I snapped last night. I consider it a successful picture when all 3 are looking at the camera and 2/3 are smiling! Notice the plastic pumpkins that they have to collect their candy in. After Alyssa's fit on Thursday morning, I found these at Safeway for $2.00 each. I'm hoping next year they will be in love with the super cute personalized bags that were lovingly given to them as a 1st birthday gift.

So we are off to a playdate today with Auntie Jessica and The boys next door, Auntie Ly and her kiddos and some old friends from highschool and their kids. It should be lots of Halloween Hangover fun! I was in charge of making sugar cookies that the kids could decorate and I wanted to share this fantastic recipe. Trust me, you will not be able to eat just one cookie.

1 cup of sugar
1 cup of butter
3 ounces softened cream cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
2 1/4 cups flour



Combine sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond extract, vanilla and egg yolk. Blend well. Stir in flour and mix well ( I use an electric hand mixer). Chill dough overnight ( I put my dough in foil).

When you are ready to bake, take dough out of the refirgerator or freezer and allow it to soften. Roll out dough with rolling pin. (Use flour on hands, cutting board, and rolling pin to prevent dough from sticking to surface) and cut out cookies using your favorite cookie cutters.
Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes.