Sugar and Spice Cookies

Sugar and Spice Cookies

Ingredients

    3 cups all-purpose flour
    1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 to 1 & 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
    1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
    1 cup unsalted butter, softened
    4 ounces cream cheese, softened
    1 cup granulated sugar
    1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
    1 large egg
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    sanding sugar for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, cream cheese, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and mix well.

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

Cover dough and refrigerate for an hour.

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

Using 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, roll the dough into balls. Place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. If desired, sprinkle each cookie with sanding sugar.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.

Cool on pans on wire racks for 5 minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 36 cookies