Butter Cookies

Usually I do my baking at the cabin, but this holiday season I decided to bake some cookies at the condo. I chose a simple butter cookie recipe and they turned out nice. This recipe makes a crunchy cookie that isn't overly sweet. It's great for the holidays, but it's a good cookie for nibbling any time.

BUTTER COOKIES

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg slightly beaten
2 2/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons almond extract

Using a hand mixer, cream the butter (I used margarine) and sugar. Add the egg, then the almond extract (or vanilla). Mix the dry ingredients together before adding them slowly to the wet ingredients. Mix thoroughly. The dough will be crumbly like pie dough. Divide it in two.

Use your hands to roll the dough into a 1 1/2 inch diameter log. Place it in plastic wrap and roll back and forth on the counter for a uniform shape. Chill the dough for an hour before slicing. Cut cookies 1/4 inch thin and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate if desired and bake at 400 degrees for 7-10 minutes. If cookies are slightly brown around the edges, they're done. Remove to a rack (I use a paper bag) to cool then store in a sealed container. The cookies crisp after cooling.

I watched Rachel Ray the other day and a guest made a similar cookie. He rolled the log of cookie dough in spices, sugar and crushed candy before cutting and baking. In this version, the flavouring is on the outer edge of the cookie. I think I'll try that next. I froze my second roll of dough, so it'll be quick and easy.

My friend Margaret shared a yummy recipe for Thumbprint Cookies with homemade cherry jam a few weeks back. Go check it out. Do you have any cookie recipes you'd like to share? -- Margy