Lemon Cream Filled Sandwich Cookies

What do you do when you feel 

a little over whelmed, or a little stressed?

Some people choose to go to a movie,

or perhaps listen to some soothing music.

You can find my husband in his

wood working shop. My daughter

would be surfing the net.

Me....Well you can find me

doing one of 2 things.

Either I head out for a long run.

Or find me in the kitchen cooking or baking.

NO REALLY... My friends think I am Crazy.

Many times they've told me that cooking

IS what GIVES them stress. (lol)

For myself it is my little get-away.

The time I get to create something with my 

mind, hands and heart.  I challenge myself to 

think outside the box, come up with

something new. Put a new twist on a

an old favorite. Believe me not

every "creation" is a winner!

But I still enjoy the process. 

These cookies came about in a time I

was feeling a  bit overwhelmed.

I have shared with you all about my 

Little Sister Niki before. Well she is still

really struggling. It is so hard for me to see

her go through this. I want to be angry with

someone....anyone!  When there is NOTHING

I can do to help her, it makes me ....UGH!

Anyway, it just so happens this particular

week I was "told" I needed to donated

a few dozen goodies For a Bake Sale.

(I Love to Volunteer! So my husband had told a coworker

that I would for sure want to do this! Then he forgot

to inform me until the night before. I am

ashamed to say that I was NOT feeling very

"giving"...I didnt even ask what the 

proceed's went to, I just huffed and puffed and

stormed into the kitchen.)  

*more on the "story" after the recipe.

Lemon Cream Filled Sandwich Cookies

1 C. Butter~ softened

2 C. Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 Egglands Best Egg's

1 tsp. Lemon extract

2 tsp. Lemon Juice

2 tsp. Fresh Lemon Zest

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

3 C. All Purpose Flour

1 C. Powdered Sugar

Filling:

8 oz. Cream Cheese~ softened

2 TBSP. Lemon Juice

1 tsp. Lemon Zest

3 C. Powdered Sugar

Preheat oven to 375

In mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar

for 3 minutes. Add in vanilla, eggs, extract, juice

and zest, beat for 1 minute. Next place the 

remaining ingredients into mixing bowl

and blend well. If dough is slightly "sticky"

 you may want to add in a 1/4 C. more flour.

Let dough chill while you mix the filling.

For the filling beat the cream cheese

until smooth. Add in remaining

ingredients and beat well.

Place filling in covered

container, chill for 1 hour.

Roll dough into balls and 

slightly flatten. Bake for 9-11 minutes.

Cool on wire rack completely

before filling with and sandwiching.

Back to the "story".... As I storm into the kitchen,

my hubby following, telling me to just make a box of 

brownies~ "they wont care, what you make!".

NOT what I wanted to hear. I mean if they 

didnt care what I make then why make it?...

My attitude was NOT good.

Then the phone rings... I answer it...

It is my Mom wondering if I will talk to NIKI

because she wasnt having a good day.

Of course I want to! I try my hardest to make 

her laugh and tell me how she is feeling.

I tell her I can come visit and would she 

like me to bring her a treat? Knowing

Niki's Favorite dessert is Lemon Meringue Pie

I knew what was coming....and sure enough

that's what she wanted.  I  told her I was making

some cookies for a bake sale. She asked

if they were Lemon Cookies? Hmmmm?

Why Not? Sure Niki I will make Lemon Cookies!

*The MORAL of this "story" is ATTITUDE!*

After the phone call I changed my attitude.

Gone was the irritation, gone was my stress.

Replaced with "You Can Do it!" ~ Niki Attitude.  :)

Day's Later My hubby came home from work

with a  thank you card from the family

who held the Bake sale. Telling me that the 

Cookies where a hit! They also wanted to 

say thank you for helping them raise money

for the Special Olympics.

~Wow...it's as if Niki  had a part in it

herself!  No Matter what your

"stress reliever" is...do it with a 

GREAT ATTITUDE!

Lark