Snowman Cookies

A cream cheese cookie base makes for delicious dough. These cookies are tons of fun to decorate, and a treat to eat when they're done! The recipe makes about 36 snowmen.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups sugar

- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract

- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder

- miniature semisweet chocolate chips, for eyes
- milk chocolate kisses, for hats
- red and green M&Ms, for buttons

- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/8 teaspoon coconut extract
- red and/or green food coloring

Directions:

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and extracts; mix well.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Cover; chill overnight.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Form dough into 3 balls for each cookie, one 1" ball, one 3/4" ball, and one 1/2" ball. Position one ball of each size on an ungreased, insulated cookie sheet to form a snowman. Repeat with remaining balls.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until very lightly browned. Remove from oven. Immediately place 2 chocolate chips for eyes, and 2 M&Ms (1 each on the other 2 balls) for buttons. Carefully remove cookies to wire racks.

For frosting, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and coconut extract in a small bowl until smooth. Add desired food coloring (you can make one or two colors). Transfer frosting to a small Ziploc bag and seal. Cut a small hole in the bottom corner of the bag).

Once cookies have cooled, pipe frosting into a scarf around each snowman's neck. Use additional frosting to attach a chocolate kiss hat. If desired, you can then refrigerate the cookies for 10-15 minutes to help the frosting set.