Cookies anyone?

I'm doing some baking today and thought I'd share one of my favorite cookie recipes with you.  This recipe is courtesy of my friend's aunt and they are so easy and unbelievably DELICIOUS you will never go another Christmas without baking them.  I guarantee it!

Cream Cheese Cookies:

1 C. shortening (yep... just don't think about it!)
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese
1 C. sugar
1 t. vanilla
2 egg yolks
2 C. flour
1/2 t. salt

Cream shortening, cream cheese and sugar together, then add the remaining ingredients.  Drop on an ungreased cookie sheet by teaspoon.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes until edges turn lightly brown.  Frost when cool and decorate as desired. 

And now, the frosting (an absolute MUST, it's what makes the cookies):

1 lb. powdered sugar
1/4 C. butter
1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. almond extract
4 oz. cream cheese
1/4 C half and half (+ a little extra)

Beat sugar and butter and 1/4 C. half and half till blended, then add extracts and cream cheese.  Continue to add half and half until desired consistency. 

You still have plenty of time to make these and you will be SO glad you did.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas friends!