Sugar Cookie Tarts Recipe

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  2               cups  sugar
  1                cup  shortening
     3/4           cup  butter or margarine -- softened
  2          teaspoons  vanilla
  1                     egg
  3 1/2           cups  all-purpose flour
  1           teaspoon  baking powder
     1/4      teaspoon  salt
                        Cream Cheese Spread -- (recipe follows)
                       
                        CREAM CHEESE SPREAD
  1       (8 ounce) package  cream cheese -- softened
     1/2           cup  powdered sugar
  1           teaspoon  vanilla
                        Toppings (sliced fresh fruit, miniature
                        chocolate chips, chopped pecans or jam
                        with toasted sliced almonds)
                       
                       

Heat oven to 375º. Beat sugar, shortening, butter, vanilla and egg in
large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt.

Roll half of dough at a time 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured surface.
Cut into 3-inch rounds. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown. Cool 1 to 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Prepare Cream Cheese Spread. Spread about 2 teaspoons spread over each cookie. Arrange Toppings on spread. Store covered in refrigerator.

CREAM CHEESE SPREAD:

Mix all ingredients until smooth.

Mary's Sugar Cookies

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1 1/2           cups  powdered sugar
  1                cup  butter or margarine -- softened
  1           teaspoon  vanilla
     1/2      teaspoon  almond extract
  1                     egg
  2 1/2           cups  all-purpose flour
  1           teaspoon  baking soda
  1           teaspoon  cream of tartar
                        Granulated sugar

Beat powdered sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in vanilla, almond extract and egg. Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm.

Heat oven to 375º. Roll half of dough at a time 1/8 inch thick on lightly
floured cloth-covered surface. Cut into desired shapes. Place about 2
inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.