Almond Cream Cheese Crinkles

After the tragic events of last Friday, I questioned myself about posting a cookie recipe. I thought about 20 mothers who couldn't bake cookies with their children, about the presents that won't be opened under the tree, about the grieving brothers and sisters, aunt and uncles, grandparents and friends, who won't have a vey merry Christmas this year.

I cannot imagine how these people are coping with such a horrific tragedy. I just hope that some how, some way, they can feel the love and prayers and know that so many people all over the world are sending them a collective hug, embracing them in our hearts and sharing in their pain and sorrow.

When tragedy strikes we always seem to come together, we always want to try and help and we try to carry on. I suppose we try to make life normal again, something I've gotten vey good at over the past two weeks. You try and move past the pain, and just function again. Reconnect to the ordinary.

I've been keeping very busy. It's how I'm dealing with it all. Not giving my mind time to wander too much. My packages have all been mailed, presents are all wrapped, the house is decorated inside and out. My menu is complete and I've picked up everything I need from the grocery store except for those last minute items. I made about 5 pounds of fudge, 60 candies and hundreds (351 in fact) of these....




Holiday Pretzel Rings (you can get the recipe here). The boys love bringing these to parties at school. The fudge was mailed out to some special folks and the rest was gifted to some of our favorite people.

I think I'm good. I think I'm ready.

I've got a few more cookies to make this upcoming weekend. My molasses cookies are always a must for Christmas, and I'll make a chocolate cream pie cause it's Evan's favorite. I've got a full menu of food to prepare and a this to make for Christmas morning.



My Three Cheese Breakfast Bake is the perfect way to begin your Christmas Day (once all the presents are open that is). You can make it the night before and just throw it in the oven Christmas morning.

I also whipped up a batch of these Almond Cream Cheese Crinkles.

I love me an almond cookie. Almond is right up there with mocha and caramel in my book.

This cookie is soft and oh so almondy.

This is a really sticky dough. Don't plan on making it and using it right away. It needs to spend some time in the fridge, overnight or at least several hours. I sprayed my cookie scoop with baking spray and the dough still wanted to stick to it. Return your dough to the fridge between batches.

Make sure to let these cool completely before digging in.




Almond Cream Cheese Crinkles
recipe from Plain Chicken 
1 box Golden Butter cake mix
1 egg
1 stick of softened butter
8oz cream cheese softened
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
powdered sugar

In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients except for the powdered sugar. You can use a stand mixer or a hand held mixer. This batter is very sticky, so be prepared for it to ride up on your beaters if you are using a hand held mixer. Once the dough comes together, remove it from the bowl and place it on some plastic wrap. You want to refrigerate this overnight, or at least several hours because it's such a sticky dough.

Preheat the oven to 325. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and coat in powered sugar. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 - 12 minutes.I pressed the tops of each ball of dough down with my fingers just a bit.  I found 12 minutes was the perfect time for my oven. The tops of these will look under cooked  so don't over bake them. The bottoms will be golden brown. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. You want these completely cooked before you eat them. I dusted mine with a little extra powdered sugar before serving.