It's a magical time of the year and holiday cookies are part of that. These cookies are so good, you'll want to make these cookies part of your yearly tradition.
1 1/4 c. finely crushed graham crackers from about 1 sleeve
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 1/2 sticks (12 T.) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c. packed light brown sugar
1 egg, separated
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/2 t. vanilla extract
cherry pie filling
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
In a large bowl, whisk together graham cracker crumbs, flour and baking powder.
In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg white; beat until well combined.
Stir graham cracker mixture into butter mixture until just combined.
In a separate medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and granulated sugar until combined; add in egg yolk and vanilla; mix until smooth.
Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 T.), scoop out cookie dough; place on prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly, pressing thumb or a round measuring teaspoon into the center of the ball to create a small bowl shape. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Spoon or pipe cream cheese mixture into indentations in the cookies.
Bake 12 minutes or until filling is barely set and cookies are lightly golden.
Allow to cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets before removing them; cool completely on a wire rack.
Spoon cherry pie filling onto cooled cookies just before serving.
Makes 16 cookies.