Add a photo

Cherry Cheese Windmills

By: Helen McGibbon 
"'These pretty cookies look fancy, but they are really not much work,' assures Helen McGibbon from Downers Grove, Illinois. 'They're perfect for any occasion.'"

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 3.7 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (7)

Prep Time:
25 Min
Cook Time:
10 Min
Ready In:
35 Min

Servings  (Help)

Calculate

 

Original Recipe Yield 30 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • FILLING:
  • 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted and chopped

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and extract. Fold in cherries. On a floured surface, roll each portion of dough into a 10-in. square. With a sharp knife or pastry wheel, cut into 2-1/2-in. squares. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Make 1-in. cuts from each corner toward the center of the dough.
  3. Drop teaspoonfuls of filling in the center of each square; sprinkle with almonds. Fold alternating points to the center to form a windmill; moisten points with water and pinch gently at center to seal. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool on wire racks.
ADVERTISEMENT
reviews custom versions menus people who saved this
 

   

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 3.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 15, 2007 by pinkpigeon   view full review
yum! made these for a cookie swap at my mom's house -- no one believed i made these, they...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 3.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 29, 2007 by Amber   view full review
These are awesome!! They are really not that difficult to make, but they look awesome. I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 3.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 22, 2008 by Table for One   view full review
The cream cheese/maraschino cherry filling is delicious in this recipe-- perfect blend of...
The reviewer gave this recipe 3 stars. This recipe averages a 3.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 14, 2011 by Gwendolyn   view full review
The filling was delicious but i found them incredibly time consuming and difficult to make. ...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 3.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 21, 2010 by mommypeas   view full review
By far, the best sugar cookie recipe I've come across. The cherry cream cheese filling...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 3.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Mar. 17, 2009 by Marti   view full review
Everyone loved these. They are a bit more work than I expected. I chilled them overnight and...
The reviewer gave this recipe 1 stars. This recipe averages a 3.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 19, 2008 by jean   view full review
This dough is too, too wet. It is imposible to work with, even ater it sat o 4 hours.

profile image
By:  Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)
What’s Changed: 
profile image
By:  Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)
What’s Changed: 
 Sample
: 
  • Meals
  • Recipes
  • Tags Menu Tags
profile image
  Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  | ,
Saved on
Recipe BoxRecipe Box | ProfileProfile | ReviewsReviews
 
Recipe Box
Menus
Shopping Lists

recipe box See something worth saving?
Register now to save all your favorites in your Recipe Box.

Sign up for FREE Now!

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Videos

Play Video Play Video
Cherry Fold-It-Up Pastry

See how to make a deliciously simple cherry-filled pastry.

Play Video Play Video
Tangerine Cherry Cranberry Sauce

See how to make a classic holiday cranberry sauce.

Play Video Play Video
Fig Brulee with Burrata Cheese

See how to make a quick and easy “burnt” fig appetizer.

More How-To and Recipe Videos »

Related Menus

Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)
Try Menu Planner | View Sample Menus »

Recently Viewed Recipes

Quick Links: Recipe Box | Shopping List | More »

Top Searches

 
Select Your Version:  Argentina  |  Australia & New Zealand  |  Brazil  |  Canada  |  China  |  France  |  Germany  |  India  |  Japan  |  Korea  |  Mexico  |  Netherlands  |  Poland

Quebec  |  Russia  |  SE Asia  |  United Kingdom & Ireland  |  United States