CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES WITH DULCE DE LECHE

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies with Dulce de LecheMakes 36

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese at room temperature

2 cups sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Dulce de leche (purchased, or recipe follows)

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese on medium speed until well blended. Add sugar and beat until light, about one minute. Beat in egg and vanilla. On low speed, beat in flour mixture just until mixed. The dough will be soft and sticky.

Divide the dough in half onto plastic wrap. Pat each half into a thick disc. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.