DROP COOKIE RECIPES FROM SCRATCH RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening.
• In medium bowl, beat all filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth; set aside.
• In 1-quart saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes.
• In large bowl, beat chocolate mixture, sugar, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in flour and salt on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat on medium speed 1 minute. Stir in nuts. Spread 1 3/4 cups of the batter in pan. Spread filling over batter. Drop remaining batter in mounds randomly over filling; carefully spread to cover cream cheese layer.
• Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack, about 2 hours. For brownies, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat 3 cups powdered sugar, the butter, vanilla, 1 teaspoon almond extract and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Divide dough in half. On lightly floured surface, roll each half 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes with 3-inch cookie cutters. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
• Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small bowl, beat all glaze ingredients except food colors on low speed until smooth. Divide among several small bowls. Stir desired food color, one drop at a time, into each until desired color. Decorate cookies with glaze and other decorations as desired.