Lavender Gin Goat Cheese Cookies Recipes

POLISH CREAM CHEESE COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat the cream cheese, butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour and salt until combined. Divide the dough between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap. Flatten into 1/2-inch-thick disks and wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350˚. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out 1 disk of dough on a lightly floured surface until about 1/8 inch thick, dusting with more flour as needed. Cut out 2 1/2-inch squares using a sharp knife or a 2 1/2-inch square cutter. Lift the cutouts using an offset spatula and arrange 2 inches apart on one of the prepared pans. Gather the scraps and refrigerate.
• Spoon 1 teaspoon preserves onto the center of each cutout. Fold in two opposite corners to overlap in the middle and press down to seal, spreading the preserves slightly. Sprinkle the dough with coarse sugar.
• Bake, rotating the pan halfway through, until the cookies are puffed and the edges are golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the pan, then remove the cookies to a rack to cool completely.
• Repeat with the other disk of dough, plus the reserved scraps, to make more cookies.

CREAM CHEESE COOKIES

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Combine the butter, vanilla, 4 ounces of the room-temperature cream cheese and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add 2 cups of the sugar and beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and beat until smooth, then add the flour and beat on low until the dough just comes together. Remove the frozen cream cheese from the freezer and chop into 1/4-inch cubes. Add the cubes to the dough, quickly stirring with a rubber spatula to evenly incorporate them into the dough. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
• Using a 1-ounce ice cream scoop or 2 tablespoons, scoop 12 portions of dough, roll into balls and transfer to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart. Lightly flour the bottom of a 1/2-cup measuring cup and use it to flatten each cookie into a disk about 1/2 inch thick, re-flouring the cup after each cookie.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until the cookies look set but are still pale and barely brown on the bottom, 20 to 24 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 1 minute, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough.
• Meanwhile, combine the remaining 2 ounces room-temperature cream cheese, 2 cups sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the mixture forms a thick paste. Add the milk and stir slowly until a thick glaze forms.
• When the cookies are cool, dip the entire surface of the top of each cookie in the glaze and lift up, letting the excess glaze drip off, then flip the cookie right-side up and onto the cooling rack. If the glaze is too thick, add another teaspoon of milk to loosen it. If using the cranberries or lime zest, sprinkle on top of the cookies while the glaze is still wet. Allow the glaze to set before serving, at least 10 minutes. Store the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

SUMAC SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Mix up the butter and sugar until really combined. Mix the flour, sumac, baking powder and salt, and then add to the creamed butter slowly, mixing together until a dough is formed. Divide the dough into thirds, wrap in wax paper and place in the freezer to speed chill for 45 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to the fridge to keep cool while rolling out. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• On a clean work service, sprinkle some powdered sugar. Also sprinkle some powdered sugar on a rolling pin or wine bottle. Roll out the dough to desired thickness. Work quickly to keep the dough COLD. Keep in mind that the thinner you roll them, the shorter the cooking time. Do you want wafers or cookies? Your choice. Bake these guys, in batches if necessary, on a silicone baking mat on a cookie sheet until they are just golden brown on the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. It might be wise to rotate the sheet halfway through baking, depending on your oven.
• Remove from the oven, let them cool and give them to the kids to decorate. Celebrate sumac.