Ingredients:

1 cup Land O Lakes® Butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (glaze)

2 teaspoons shortening (glaze)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400°F.

2. Combine butter, sugar and almond extract in bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add all remaining cookie ingredients; beat at low speed until well mixed.

3. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten balls to 1/4 inch thick with bottom of buttered glass dipped in sugar. Bake 6-8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely.

4. Combine chocolate chips and shortening in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on Medium (50% power) 1 minute; stir. Continue microwaving, stirring every 15 seconds, until mixture is melted and smooth. Drizzle or pipe chocolate onto cookies making tree design, if desired.

Bon Appetit!