BERRY-CREAM COOKIE SNAPS

These cute cookies are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy inside. They are not hard to make and they are a different way to serve strawberries. Your guests and family will be impressed. I hope you try them!

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons seedless strawberry jam
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
1 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional

BATTER:

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries
Additional sugar

For filling, in a small mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and jam until blended. Fold in whipped cream and food coloring if desired. Chill.
In a bowl, whisk the sugar, flour, egg whites, vanilla and salt until smooth. Whisk in butter until blended. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Preparing four cookies at a time, drop batter by 1-1/2 teaspoonfuls 4-in. apart onto prepared pan. Bake at 400 F. for 5-8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
Immediately remove one cookie at a time and form into a tube around a greased clean round wooden clothespin. Press lightly to seal; hold until set, about 20 seconds. Remove cookie from clothespin; place on waxed paper to cool. Continue with remaining cookies. If cookies get to cool to shape, return to oven for 1 minute to soften, repeat with remaining batter.
Just before serving, pipe or spoon filling into cookie shells. Dip end of each cookie into strawberries and additional sugar. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: about 2 dozen.

See more great recipes at: www.havefunbaking.com