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Almond Sugar Cookie Cut-outs

Cut this easy-to-assemble dough into ghost shapes for Halloween.

Ingredients

1 cup butter (softened)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon baking soda

Super Easy Ornamental Frosting: 16 ounces powdered sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
1/3 cup warm water

Directions

For cookies, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the egg, vanilla extract and almond extract flavorings.

Combine the dry ingredients in separate bowl. Next, add the dry ingredients (by 1/2 cup measurements) to the butter/sugar mixture. Mix with a mixer on medium speed.

Chill the dough for two to three hours or overnight, or "quick chill" in the freezer until very firm, for about 30 to 45 minutes.

To bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Separate the dough into fourths and roll each section until it is about 1/8- to 1/4-inch thickness and using a 2 1/2-inch ghost-shaped cookie cutter, cut into desired shape. Bake at 375 degrees F for seven to nine minutes or until the edges just begin to brown.

For frosting, combine all the ingredients and mix at medium speed until smooth. Spread the frosting on each cutout. For spreading consistency, thin icing by adding tablespoons of warm water. Please note, it doesn't take more than 1 or 2 tablespoons to thin the icing.

For ghost eyes, use a tube of chocolate cake decorator frosting, or small dabs of chocolate frosting on a knifepoint, to make the ghost eyes.

Suggestions

Fun for the whole family!