Joanne M. Pietroske, Greenfield, Wis.

　　"I always include these in 'cookie boxes' I make for relatives who can't bake anymore."

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 5 dozen cookies

　　1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

　　1 cup confectioners' sugar

　　1 egg, beaten

　　1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

　　1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

　　2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

　　1 teaspoon salt

　　Red decorating sugar, for garnish

　　

Step 1

1. Cream butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Add confectioners' sugar; beat well. Beat in the egg and extracts. Blend in the flour and salt. Form the dough into two disks and wrap them in plastic. Chill the dough well.

　　

Step 2

2. Remove one disk from the refrigerator. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares, then cut from each corner of the square almost to the center. Turn over every other cut point to the center and press gently, forming a pinwheel (or poinsettia). Sprinkle the center of each with red sugar. Repeat with the second disk of dough.

　　

Step 3

3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the cookies on greased baking sheets and bake until very lightly golden, about 8 to 10 minutes.

　　

Nutrition Per Serving

Per cookie: 36 calories

　　4g carbohydrates

　　no protein

　　2g fat

　　7mg cholesterol.

　　#### Nutritional analysis provided by New Wellness

　　Richmond

　　Va.