Seemingly innocent cream cheese sugar cookies with a surprise at the end.
1/2 cup (1 stick), butter, softened at room temperature
3 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar (no need to sift)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
In a large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese. Mix in confectioners' sugar. Add baking powder, egg and vanilla and combine. In two parts, add flour (at this point, it's easiest to mix with your hands). Refrigerate one hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix together sugar and cayenne.
Roll dough into 1" balls. Dip each one into the cayenne mixture and place on baking tray. Bake about ten minutes, or until done. Makes about 28.