Christmas Wreath Cookies

These are one of my favorite Christmas cookies. The taste of cream cheese is pretty prominent.

• 1 cup butter or shortening
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 8 oz. cream cheese (1 package)
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• green food coloring
• sprinkles, beads

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Cream butter/shortening and cream cheese.
3. Beat in sugar and vanilla.
4. Gradually blend in flour.
5. Mix in green food coloring.
6. Put cookie batter into a cookie press with a small star output.
7. Make wreath shapes with the cookie press.
8. Bake cookies until bottoms just start to brown, about 8-10 minutes.
9. Remove from cookie sheet immediately.

The only variations I know of are in the decoration of the cookies. Green or red granulated sugar works well, as do any type of sprinkles or beads. You could also use icing to add bows.

These cookies actually taste a little better when they are softer, which is difficult to do in the wreath layout. Baking them as regular round cookies tastes the best. You could also press them into another shape, such as a Christmas tree.

I got this recipe from my mom. I've not seen it anywhere else. Searches for Christmas wreath cookie on the Internet turn up mostly cookies made with corn flakes.