Butter cookies are basic, easy-to-make cookies that can be shaped and decorated in many colorful ways.

Chocolate and almond flavoring add a deliciously elegant taste to our traditional butter cookies. Eat them plain or dress them up. These chocolate cookies are guaranteed crowd pleasers.

Chocolate Butter Cookies

½ cup sugar
¾ cup butter, softened
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa

Directions

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl combine all ingredients EXCEPT flour and cocoa. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Gradually add flour and cocoa until well mixed (2-3 minutes).

Shape rounded teaspoonfuls as desired into 1-inch balls, logs, or other shapes (or use a cookie press). Place cookies 1-inch apart on cookie sheets. Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until set. Cool.

Decorate with melted chocolate chips, melted almond bark, nuts, colored sugars, candied fruit, maraschino cherries, etc.