Lemon Cheesecake Cookies

Ingredients

• 0.5 cups unsalted butter , softened
• 3 ounces cream cheese , softened
• 0.5 cups white sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 5 dropss yellow food coloring , Optional
• 60 cinnamons red hot candies , or as needed

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Beat butter and cream cheese together in a bowl. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk, lemon peel, and lemon extract and beat well.

3. 3

   Sift flour and salt together in a bowl. Add to the bowl with the butter mixture in 3 additions, mixing well after each. Add food coloring and mix in thoroughly.

4. 4

   Press cookies 1 inch apart onto the prepared baking sheet using a cookie press fitted with a flower disc. Press 1 red hot cinnamon candy into the center of each cookie.

5. 5

   Bake in the preheated oven until just starting to turn golden brown on the edges, 14 to 16 minutes; do not overbake.

6. 6

   Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.