*****Christmas Sugar Cookie Cut-outs*****

NUTTY ALMOND TREES
These cinnamon-flavored cut-outs are topped with an almond frosting and nuts.

Preparation time: 1 hrs 30 min Baking time: 6 min
Yield: 4 dozen cookies

Cookie Ingredients:
1 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons LAND O LAKES® Butter, softened
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 to 3 tablespoons warm water

Toppings Ingredients:
1 (5-ounce) can mixed nut topping*
Decorator sugars, if desired

Combine 1 cup butter and sugar in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add egg and 1 teaspoon almond extract; continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; add all remaining cookie ingredients. Beat until well mixed.

Divide dough in half; flatten slightly. Wrap each half in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate until firm (at least 1 hour).

Heat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-half at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch tree cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 6 to 7 minutes or just until edges begin to lightly brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer to cooling rack. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon almond extract in small bowl. Beat at low speed until well mixed. Continue beating, adding enough water for desired glazing consistency. Frost 1 cookie at a time; immediately sprinkle each with nut topping and decorator sugars, if desired.

*Substitute 1 cup finely chopped toasted mixed nuts such as almonds, peanuts, cashews etc.

Recipe Tip
Mixed nut topping is available in cans in the ice cream topping section of the supermarket.

Recipe Tip
These cookies bake very quickly and have a brown appearance due to the cinnamon. Be careful not to over bake. Check cookies at minimum baking time.
Nutrition Facts (1 cookie): Calories: 110, Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 80mg, Carbohydrates: 14g, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Protein: 8g
(From the LAND O LAKES® website)
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