"the most versatile cookie throughout the year"!! top 50 of most

Top 50 of Most voted in LA Times Holiday Bake-off!

Beat butter, margarine,sugar, egg and extract in large bowl until well blended. Stir in flour mixture.

For Christmas Trees:
Shape dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Coat cookie sheet with vegetable oil spray.
For trees roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 3/8" thickness and cut into desired shape. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Remove cookies to a wire rack,cool.
Frost with glaze.

Vanilla Glaze: Stir 2 Tablespoons of milk into 1 cup of powdered sugar until smooth and slightly runny- add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and tint green for trees.

For an Almond Cookie Variation:
omit Vanilla and add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to butter mixture. Add 1/3 cup finely chopped almonds to flour mixture. Shape dough into a 12" roll. Wrap and chill until firm. Slice into 1/4" slices. Bake as directed. Cool, dip half into melted semi-sweet chocolate & place on wax paper to cool

Enjoy the journey with me to dig into cherished recipes and the stories they tell.Stop by my cookbook cupboard blog.Enjoy!Sharonhttp://steppingbackintimecherishedcookbooks.blogspot.com