Cream Cheese Cookies With Caramel Topping

By Diana Rattray

southernfood.about.com

Cream Cheese Cookies With Caramel and Chocolate Topping

Photo of Cream Cheese Cookies © Diana Rattray

The cream cheese cookies are more like pastry, made with a simple flour, cream cheese, and butter formula, but they get plenty of sweetness and flavor from the caramel and chocolate topping. Make these cream cheese cookies for Christmas, Halloween, or any occasion.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 37 minutes

Yield: 2 Dozen Cookies

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 20 to 28 pecan halves
• 1 bag (14 ounces) caramels
• 1 bag (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• sprinkles or colored sugar, optional

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400°.

Place softened cream cheese and butter in a bowl. Gradually add flour to form a dough. Chill dough in refrigerator. Roll out and cut with a 2-inch round cookie cutter; arrange on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and press a pecan half onto each cookie. Place an unwrapped caramel on top of each cookie. Return cookies to oven and watch closely, baking just until caramels are melted, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave.

Using a buttered knife, slightly flatten caramels. Stir the melted chocolate chips and spread about 1 to 2 teaspoons over the top of each pecan half. Top each cookie with sprinkles or colored sugar, if desired.

Makes about 20 to 24 2-inch cookies.