Basic Cream-Cheese Cookies-Part 1

3/4 c Butter or margarine; soften

3 oz Cream cheese; softened

3/4 c Granulated sugar

1 tb Lemon peel; grated

2 c All-purpose flour

1/4 ts Salt

In a large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter, cream cheese, sugar and lemon peel until light and fluffy; with mixer at low speed, beat in flour and salt to blend well. Flatten dough to disk shape; refrigerate wrapped in plastic, 30 minutes. Work with 1/4 dough at a time; keep remainder refrigerated. Heat oven to 350`F. Roll dough out to 1/8 or 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured surface and cut into desired shapes;

or, mold into shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart; bake 10 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness of dough, until light browned. Cool completely on wire racks. Store in airtight container. Makes 2 to 6 dozen cookies, depending on size. Follow basic recipe above, with the variations below: 1. WALNUT-JAM CRESCENTS: After chilling, roll one fourth dough at a

time into 8-inch circle; cut each into 8 wedges. Stir 1 tsp. grated lemon peel into 1/4 cup apricot jam; spread over wedges. Chop 1/4 cup walnuts; sprinkle over wedges. Roll up from long side; curve ends in crescent shape. Bake 12 to 14 minutes. When cool, sprinkle with confectioners` sugar. Makes 32. -----