Easy Almond Cookies

We got a tastes of winter, yesterday, with torrential rain for most of the day. It is still overcast today and cold - the perfect day to warm up the house with cooking and baking.

I think the scent of almond is one of my favorites. If it is in line with something baking in the oven, even better. This one covers both aspects and tastes like you fussed more than you did.

Easy Almond Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup finely ground toasted almonds
2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat over to 325 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use vegetable oil spray.

Cream together the butter, sugar, and flavories until light and fluffy. Stir in the almonds and flour and mix well. Roll into tablespoon balls of dough. Roll in either granulated or colored sugar. Place about twe-inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Gently press down a bit with the bottom of a glass.

Bake for approximately 15 minutes or so depending on size and thickness of cookies. They should be browned on the bottom and golden around the edges. Let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing to cooling rack.

You should have about 3-3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Enough milk to form a glaze.

Mix all the ingredients together until smooth. You don't want overly runny. Line your cookies up on a cooling rack set over sheets of waxed paper. You can either drizzle it over the cookies or spread it on.  You can dust them with ground almonds, slivered almonds, or colorful candy decorations.