C is for cookie and Christmas creativity

• Bake batches of sugar cookies beforehand, so guests can start decorating as soon as they arrive. Then have some dough on hand for those who want to roll out and cut their own designs.

• Set up decorating stations with tubes or decorator bags of colored icings, sprinkles and small candies such as cinnamon Red Hots or Life Savers.

• Decorate a few cookies to use as a festive centerpiece and give your guests some ideas to spark their creativity.

• Crank up a little Christmas music.

• Have takeout boxes ready so that guests can easily bring their cookies home.

COLORFUL CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg yolk

2 cups all-purpose flour

Cookie icing in desired colors

Sprinkles in desired colors

In a large bowl, beat first seven ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. On low speed, beat in flour until well-blended.

Shape dough into three disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour for easier handling.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. On floured surface, roll 1 disk of dough at a time to 1/8-inch thickness (keep remaining dough refrigerated). Cut dough with lightly floured 2 1/2-inch round or desired shape cookie cutter. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cutouts 1 inch apart.

Bake 6-10 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. Spread cookie icing on cooled cookies. Decorate as desired with colored sugar or candy sprinkles.

POP ART COOKIES

1 pouch sugar cookie mix (such as Betty Crocker brand)

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 egg