Shaped 
Christmas Cookies

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon water
• Whole blanched almonds

Cream butter in a large mixing bowl; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy . Add egg, beating well. Stir in almond extract.

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl; add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Chill 2 hours.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets, and press each ball to 1/4 inch thickness with bottom of a small glass. Press an almond into center of each. Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: about 5 dozen.

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