Lollipop Cookies

Also known as Balloon Cookies, Play Dough Cookies, and Rainbow Cookies. I will warn you, these are another recipe that your hands get pretty messy.  Spray hands with cooking spray & section of counter top you use.  Makes things easier, trust me.  Though they do create some mess, these are such fun & very creative.  My girls have a blast making these & then love sharing them with friends & neighbors.  They each get to pick a couple colors & have fun with all the mixing.  You can either make these swirl & form a lollipop or you can just smash colors together for some fun "tie died" cookies. You don't have to make them with sticks.  Every time we make these, they are different colors.  A very enjoyable time with kids.  I love it.

Lollipop Cookies

3/4 cup butter ~ softened

3 ounces cream cheese ~ softened

1 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

assorted colors of  food coloring

24 lollipop sticks

In large bowl, cream together butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add in egg and vanilla; beat cream mixture till smooth.  In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, slowly. Stir till soft dough forms. Dough will be "tacky."  If too tacky, add a little more flour.  Divide dough into fourths & put in separate bowls.  Tint each with a different food color. Once well colored to desire, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours. Dough is also fine to sit over night. 

Working with half of each color, shape dough into 3/4 inch balls and for each cookie place 1 color together & make 1 large ball.  Shape into a 6-12 inch long roll (like a snake), starting at one end, coil roll to make about a  2 3/4 inch round cookie. Place cookies 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Carefully insert lollipop sticks into bottoms of cookies.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and store in an airtight container.