Christmas Cookies

• 1 cup soft butter
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1 1/2 confect. sugar
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla

"Mix butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and almond extract well. Blend in flour. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Divide dough in quarters. Roll each quarter out 3/16"" thick on floured board. Cut with cookie cutters. Bake in 375 degree oven on greased cookies sheets for 7-8 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Combine scraps and continue until all dough is gone. Cool on wire racks."

Icing

"Mix 3 cups confectioner's sugar, 5 Tablespoons milk and 2 tsp. vanilla till smooth. Divide in portions and color with food color if desired. Frost cooled cookies. Top with a variety of colored sugars and cake decorations."