Sugar Cookie Cups with Cream Cheese Filling

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 18 cupcake cups with paper liners.

2. Beat butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract together using an electric mixer in a mixing bowl until smooth.

3. Sift 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl. Mix into butter mixture until combined.

4. Place 1 teaspoon of batter into each of the prepared cupcake cups. Sprinkle each cup with a little sugar.

5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and indent each cup using a teaspoon-sized measuring spoon. Let cool 10 minutes.

6. While cookie cups cool, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, and egg together using an electric mixer in a mixing bowl until smooth. Place a little more than 1 teaspoon of filling into each cookie cup. Sprinkle with sugar.

7. Bake in the preheated oven until filling sets, 10 to 15 minutes more. Let cool completely before serving.

Cook's Note:

You can substitute margarine for butter, if desired.