Sugar Fruit Tarts

1 Sugar Cookie Recipe
1/2 C. sugar
1 t. vanilla
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
fresh fruit (such as berries, grapes, peaches)* or canned (such as Mandarin oranges)
toasted nuts
any other desired tart toppings

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare Sugar Cookie Recipe. On floured surface, working with half of dough at a time, roll to 1/4 inch thick. Cut 3-inch circles and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly on sheet and then finish cooling on cooling racks.

Use hand mixer to completely combine sugar, vanilla and cream cheese. Spread 2 teaspoons of mixture on each sugar cookie. Top with prepared fruits and nuts. Refrigerate tarts until needed.

Makes about 2 dozen tarts.

* Quick Fruit Suggestions: Roll blueberries in sugar before putting them on the tarts. make several slices in a strawberry at an angle from the bottom of the berry stopping short of the stem. This will allow for a fanning effect. Combine more than one type of fruit on the tart for variety.

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