Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. This is an important step, as it ensures your cookies will bake evenly. While the oven is heating up, grab a mixing bowl and whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar for about 20 seconds. This helps to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
Step 2: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together granulated sugar and unsalted butter until well combined. The mixture should become light and fluffy, taking about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial, as it incorporates air into the dough, giving your cookies a nice lift.
Step 3: Mix in the egg and egg yolk, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Step 4: With the mixer set to low speed, gradually add in the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined, ensuring not to overwork the dough. The dough will be thick, so if you notice any flour at the bottom, stop the mixer and mix by hand to incorporate.
Step 5: Scoop out about 1 1/2 tablespoons (approximately 33g) of dough and shape it into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone liner, spacing them 2 inches apart. This spacing is important, as the cookies will spread while baking.
Step 6: Bake in your preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they should appear slightly under-baked when you take them out. This will give you that chewy texture we all love.
Step 7: Once they’re done baking, remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 8: Now it’s time to make the frosting! In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together salted butter and cream cheese until smooth. This should only take a few minutes.
Step 9: Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until your frosting is light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. This frosting will be the perfect complement to your cookies.
Step 10: Once the cookies are fully cooled, frost each cookie generously with the cream cheese frosting. Top them with an array of fresh fruit to make them visually appealing and delicious! Serve immediately for the best taste.
