Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)

1/2 cup butter (room temperature)

1 1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

2. Beat cream cheese and butter together at high speed until fluffy and smooth 1-2 minutes. Add sugar to the butter mixture and beat until fully incorporated and fluffy 1-2 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla 1 minute.

3. In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir just until incorporated. Do not over-mix.

4. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets batter will be sticky.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-11 minutes. Cookies should be light in color, not browned, and just starting to brown on the bottom. *Length of baking time may vary from oven to oven.

6. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar or dip in chocolate once cooled. The vanilla smooths out the flavor, but for a more tart, cheesy flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon juice or no extracts at all. Do not overbake. This can cause the cookies to come out drier and biscuit like.

Bon Appetit!