SUGAR COOKIES WITH ALMOND PASTE RECIPES

Steps:

• "Food coloring Place almond paste in food processor with metal blade in place: process until finely chopped. Add butter and sugar; process until thoroughly mixed. Add egg white; process until smooth. Add flour and cinnamon; process until dough forms a ball. Remove from processor; wrap in plastic and chill 1/2 hour or until firm. Roll dough on lightly floured work surface, approximately 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. TRansfer to a lightly greased baking sheet; bake at 325 degrees, 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned. Removed cookies to a rack to cool. Mix together powdered sugar, milk and almond extract. Divide glaze into separate bowls and tint each bowl as desired with food coloring. Spread cookies with glaze and allow to dry and harden before serving. "

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat almond paste and egg yolks until crumbly. Add butter, sugar and salt; beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour and mix well. Divide into four portions; shape each into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 1-2 hours or until easy to handle., Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough., Bake 6-8 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, beat confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and water until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Color frosting if desired. Frost cookies; decorate with coarse sugar and sprinkles if desired. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.