Confectioners sugar
2 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. crushed hard peppermint candy
2 tbsp. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. milk
1 drop red food color

Into large bowl, measure 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, flour, butter, and vanilla. With mixer at medium speed, beat ingredients until well mixed, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula.

In small bowl, toss together peppermint candy and 1/4 cup confectioners sugar. In another small bowl, prepare filling; with spoon, blend cream cheese with milk until smooth. Gradually stir in 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, food color, and 3 tablespoons of reserved candy mixture.

TO BAKE: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With hands, shape dough into 3/4 inch balls. With handle of wooden spoon, make a deep hole in center of each ball. Fill each hole with about 1/4 teaspoon of filling; cover with a bit of dough to seal.

Bake cookies 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove; while cookies are hot, roll in remaining candy mixture; sprinkle any leftover mixture over cookies. Refrigerate until served. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.