Ingredients

3 ounces cream cheese room temperature
½ cup shortening
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup sifted flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon cardamom
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon white pepper
Shimmer White Sugar
Cupcake Pears

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a mixer, cream the shortening and cream cheese until smooth and well combined.

Add the sugar, egg yolk, flour, vanilla, and mix until well combined.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, salt, allspice, cloves, and white pepper. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix well.

Using a spatula or knife, press the dough into the barrel of the cookie press and use according to manufacturer’s directions. Place the cookie press standing horizontally onto a baking sheet, squeeze the trigger, and gently lift up. If dough should stick to the press, gently remove with the tip of a knife or finger. Cookies can be about 1 ½ inches apart on the baking sheet. Decorate with shimmer white sugar and/or cupcake pearls, if desired.

Bake for 10 minutes or until cookies are very lightly golden on the edges.

Allow to cool on baking sheet for about a minute or so before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.