SPICED CHRISTMAS COOKIES

SPICED CHRISTMAS COOKIES image

Yield 36-48

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 sticks butter, softened (1 cup)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp pure almond extract
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp powdered ginger
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg white, beaten
colored sugar and candy decorations

Steps:

*In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, almond and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Gradually add to wet ingredients and mix well. Form into 2 disc, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least a couple of hours. *Preheat oven to 350 degree. Roll the dough out not too thin, on a lightly floured surface and cut into shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 350 degree for 10 minutes.Remove from the oven. Brush a couple of cookies at a time with egg white and decorate with colored sugar. The egg white kind of acts as a glue, so don't let it dry before you sprinkle with sugar. Return the decorated cookies to the oven for 5 minutes If you are frosting the cookies with lemon glaze, bake 15 minutes. If you want to use lemon glaze: Mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice, color if desired, and drizzle over the cookies.