Macadamia Madness

2 Cups Flour
2 sticks butter softened
6 ounces cream cheese softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 Cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted almonds
1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 Tbsp. melted butter
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. lemon extract
Pinch of salt
64 whole macadamia nuts

In a medium bowl, beat flour, butter, cream cheese, and salt with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Scoop up level measuring Tbsp. of dough and roll into 1 1/4 inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. using a finger dipped in flour, make a deep indentation in each ball to form a bowl shape. Place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm up dough. Preheat oven to 350*. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, sugar, almonds, chopped macadamia nuts, eggs, butter, lemon zest, vanilla, lemon extract, and salt. remove cookies sheets from freezer and fill each indentation with about 1 tsp. of sugar-nut mixture. Top each with a macadamia nut. Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool completely on wire racks.

Makes about 64 cookies.