Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies

In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the cream cheese. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla until well-incorporated. This is also where you’d add in the vanilla bean if you’re using it.

Beat in the flour. If you want to color the dough, add a few drops of food coloring to it and knead until the color is uniform. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees (F). On an ungreased surface (this is important, because otherwise the cookies won’t come off the press), press out the dough into shapes. Transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and then add decorations.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until the edges are stiff and the cookies are lightly browned on the bottom. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies.