Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients

    For the filling:

    4 ounces cream cheese, softened
    1/4 cup granulated sugar
    pinch salt
    1 large egg yolk
    1 & 1/2 teaspoons sour cream
    1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

    For the cookies:

    1 cup unsalted butter, softened
    1/4 cup granulated sugar
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1 large egg yolk
    2 cups all-purpose flour
    cinnamon sugar, optional

Instructions

To make the filling:

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add sugar and salt. Mix until smooth. Add egg yolk, sour cream, and vanilla, and beat until smooth.

Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

To make the cookies:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with silicone liners or parchment paper.

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add salt and egg yolk, and mix well.

Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually add flour, mixing just until combined.

Using 1 tablespoonful of dough at a time, roll dough into balls. If desired, roll each ball in cinnamon-sugar. Place cookies about an inch apart on prepared pans.

Make an indentation in the top of each ball with a small tart tamper or the handle of a wooden spoon. Flour the tamper or spoon if needed to prevent sticking.

Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and make indentations again. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden.

Cool completely on pans on wire racks.

After cookies have cooled, preheat oven to 350° again.

Fill indentations with about 1 teaspoon of cream cheese filling. Mound the filling slightly.

Bake cookies 7-8 minutes, or until filling is firm. Cool cookies on pans on wire racks for 5 minutes. Then, transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Transfer cooled cookies to an airtight container. Place waxed paper or parchment paper between layers. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

Allow cookies to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Yield: about 30 cookies