ALMOUND TREE RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine 1 cup butter and sugar in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add egg and 1 teaspoon almond extract; continue beating until well mixed. Add all remaining cookie ingredients. Beat at low speed until well mixed.
• Divide dough in half; flatten slightly. Wrap each half in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour until firm.
• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Roll out dough, one-half at a time on lightly floured surface (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch tree cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake 6-7 minutes or just until edges begin to lightly brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet. Remove to cooling rack. Cool completely.
• Combine powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon almond extract in small bowl. Beat at low speed until well mixed. Continue beating, adding enough water for desired glazing consistency. Frost 1 cookie at a time; immediately sprinkle each with nut topping and decorator sugars, if desired.

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Sift flour& baking powder.
• Set aside.
• Cream margerine,shortening& sugar.
• Beat in egg& almond extract.
• Gradually blend in flour mixture.
• Tint dough with a few drops of green food coloring.
• Mix well.
• Fill a cookie press.
• Use the tree plate.
• form cookies on a ungreased cookie sheets.
• decorate with the candies,or colored sugar.
• Bake 8-10 minute.
• Remove at once to cooling racks.
• 6 dozen cookies.