• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (2 sticks/8 oz/226gm) butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp. vanilla-sugar mixture* (see note below)
• 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• Small gourmet jelly beans

1. In mixer bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, sugar and 1 1/2 tbsp. vanilla-sugar mixture until fluffy. Blend in flour and baking powder. Shape dough into 1" (2.5 cm) balls. Place on baking sheets. Using the handle of wooden spoon or thumb, make a deep indentation in center of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees F (180 C) for 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned and firm to touch. Transfer cookies to cooling rack. Immediately sprinkle with remaining vanilla-sugar mixture and fill indentations with jelly beans, forming a nest. Cool.

Have the kids help shape and fill these fun cookies for Easter. Or fill with other goodies for different occasions, such as chocolate kisses for Valentine's Day. Servings: 4 dozen cookies