Cookies for Christmas

I've been getting into the holiday baking mode, not quite started but making lists of all the treats I want to make. I never make sugar cookies. This year though because the boys are getting bigger I want to do some they can decorate. We did a practice batch tonight with a recipe I found here. What I liked about this recipe is the almond extract. It smells so good and makes it feel Christmasy. We didn't have any decorating items on hand so we just frosted some with a simple butter icing (when we make them for Christmas we'll use a Royal Icing). The boys had fun icing their cookies and I thought the recipe was good. We'll make them for sure at Christmas.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups flour

Cream butter. Add sugar. Blend in egg, extracts, salt and flour. Chill dough until firm. Roll 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface, cut with cookie cutters, bake 8-10 minutes (do not left brown). Let cool and decorate.