Raspberry Hugs Cheesecake Blossoms

Makes approximately 32 cookies 

Ingredients: 

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, softened

1-1/2 cups plus 2 Tbsp sugar

1 egg + 1 egg yolk

1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 Tbsp 2% milk

2/3 tsp salt

3 cups flour

2-1/4 tsp baking powder

Course white sugar (or festive sprinkles)

32 Hershey’s raspberry hugs 

Directions:

 1.In a stand mixer or large bowl with electric hand mixer, mix ingredients in order (except course white sugar and Hershey’s hugs) until fully incorporated. Cover and chill dough in refrigerator for one hour.

 2.Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pour some of the course white sugar into a small bowl. Shape dough into walnut-sized balls (I used my cookie scoop to ensure they were all the same size) and roll in the sugar. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8 minutes.

 3.Gently push a raspberry hug into the center of each cookie immediately after removing from oven. (Be careful not to push all the way through the cookie.) Let cool slightly before transferring to wire rack. Allow chocolate to harden before serving (transfer to the fridge to speed up the process).

http://www.thespiffycookie.com/2012/02/14/raspberry-hugs-cheesecake-blossoms/