Nutty Almond Trees

• 1 cup Land O Lakes Butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 Land O Lakes All Natural Egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons Land O Lakes Butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water
• 1 (5-ounce) can mixed nut topping*
• Decorator sugars, if desired

1. Combine 1 cup butter and sugar in large bowl.
2. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy.
3. Add egg and 1 teaspoon almond extract; continue beating until well mixed.
4. Reduce speed to low; add all remaining cookie ingredients.
5. Beat until well mixed.
6. Divide dough in half; flatten slightly.
7. Wrap each half in plastic food wrap.
8. Refrigerate until firm (at least 1 hour).
9. Heat oven to 375F.
10. Roll out dough, one-half at a time on lightly floured surface (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8-inch thickness.
11. Cut with 3-inch tree cookie cutter.
12. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
13. Bake for 6 to 7 minutes or just until edges begin to lightly brown.
14. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet.
15. Remove to wire cooling rack.
16. Cool completely.
17. Combine powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon almond extract in small bowl.
18. Beat at low speed until well mixed.
19. Continue beating, adding enough water for desired glazing consistency.
20. Frost 1 cookie at a time; immediately sprinkle each with nut topping and decorator sugars, if desired.
21. *Substitute 1 cup finely chopped toasted mixed nuts such as almonds, peanuts, cashews etc.

butter, sugar, egg, almond, flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, salt, powdered sugar, butter, almond, water, mixed nut topping, decorator sugars

Taken from www.landolakes.com/recipe/1559/nutty-almond-trees (may not work)