Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies
Makes 3 dozen • From the kitchen of Irene, Lisa and Monica Garmon
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup sweet butter, softened
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Toppings:
finely chopped almonds, pecans or walnuts
candy
flaked coconut
fruit preserves
colored sugar
chocolate chips or vanilla candy coating (melted)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine sugar, butter, egg yolk and almond extract in a large bowl.
Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often until mixture is light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
Continue beating, gradually adding flour and cocoa, until well mixed (2-3 minutes).
Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1 inch balls.
Place about an inch apart on cookie sheets.
Bake 7-9 minutes or until set.
Cool completely.
To Decorate: Coat with melted chocolate or vanilla coating and decorate with chopped nuts, candy, coconut, preserves or colored sugar, as desired.
