Basic Almond Cookie Dough: 1 Dough - Dozens of Uses

from Gretchen Jameson

This easy, simple dough is perfect for cookie presses, candy cane cookies, poinsettas, etc.

Ingredients

• 1 C Butter Flavored Shortening
• 3/4 C Sugar (Baker's Sugar Preferred)
• 2 1/4 C Flour (Consider using a high quality bread/baking flour rather than all purpose)
• 1 Egg (room temperature)
• 1 tsp. Pure Almond Extract
• 1/4 tsp. coarse salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder

Combine dry ingredients and whisk together. Set aside.

Cream shortening and flour with paddle attachment of electric mixer until fluffy and pale in color (at least five minutes). Mix in eggs one at a time, slowly. Add pure almond extract. Gradually blend in dry ingredients.

Keep dough cold until ready to use. Add drops of food coloring as desired.