These cookies are great to make when you have friends or family over for Christmas or the perfect option for Santa on Christmas Eve. But don’t feel limited by the season to bake these cookies; they are delicious year round.

Ingredients:

• Cookies:
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 cups butter or margarine, melted
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 5 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cream of tartar
• Glaze:
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • Food coloring (optional)

Steps:

1. In large bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, almond extract, and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
2. Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes with 3-inch cookie cutters. Place about two inches apart on cookie sheet.
3. Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
4. In small bowl, beat all glaze ingredients except food coloring on low speed until smooth. Divide among several small bowls. Stir in desired food coloring, one drop at a time, into each until the glaze is the desired color. Decorate cookies with glaze and other decorations as desired.