Cheesecake Cookies

I got this recipe from the Dec/Jan 2010 issue of Cook's Country, and it's amazing. The filling might drip onto your cookie sheets as it bakes, so definitely use parchment paper. Otherwise they'll really stick. Oh, and I made half of these with cherry filling (which the recipe calls for) and the other half with raspberry, and they both worked really well. Enjoy!

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
20 tablespoons (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 (20-ounce) cans cherry pie filling, drained

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl. With electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream cheese, butter, and sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until thoroughly incorporated. Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture, and mix until just combined. Refrigerate dough until firm, at least 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 350*F; line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls, then roll each ball in graham cracker crumbs. Place balls 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Using a tablespoon measure, make indentation in center of each ball. Place 3 cherries in center of each indentation. Bake until golden around edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool 5 minutes on sheets, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: Approx 4 1/2 dozen cookies