SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE WITH ALMOND EXTRACT RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in almond extract. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Roll into 1-in. balls. , Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Coat bottom of a glass with cooking spray; dip it in sugar. Flatten cookies with prepared glass, dipping glass in sugar again as needed. , Bake until edges are lightly browned, 7-9 minutes. Cool for 1 minute before removing to wire racks., In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, almond extract and enough water to achieve glaze consistency. Tint with food coloring if desired; drizzle over cookies. Sprinkle with almonds.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F (350°F for dark or nonstick cookie sheets). In large bowl, beat cake mix, shortening, butter, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on high speed 1 minute.
• Divide dough into 4 equal parts. Roll each part 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered surface with cloth-covered rolling pin. Cut with 2 1/2-inch cookie cutters into desired shapes; sprinkle with sugar. On ungreased cookie sheet, place 2 inches apart.
• Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until light brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. In microwavable bowl, microwave frosting uncovered on High 20 to 30 seconds or until melted; stir. Frost cookies. Stir together small amounts of water and food color. Paint colors on freshly frosted cookies, using fine-tip brush, then swirl colors with brush or toothpick to create marbled designs. Dry completely before storing.