Vary the shapes for lots of kid-friendly fun.

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• Red and green sugar crystals
• Icing (commercially prepared, in tubes)

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and almonds.

4. Beat in baking powder and flour ½ cup at a time, until blended.

5. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for several hours.

6. On a floured surface, roll-out dough using a floured rolling pin.

7. Using several different-shaped cookie cutters, cut out cookies.

8. Decorate with colored sugar and icing.

9. Bake cookies until just golden, approximately 6–7 minutes.