Happy Valentine's Day! We had quite the storm yesterday, so we stayed in and made cookies. One of my favorite childhood memories is making and decorating sugar cookies for the holidays (usually only for Christmas, but occasionally for other holidays). So, this is something that I try to do with my boys for holidays. My kids are still more into the eating of the cookies than the decorating, but Peter did insist on putting on his own sprinkles 
"I do it!" is what he said. We are hearing this a lot right now. This morning he unloaded the bottom of the dishwasher with his "I do it!" attitude - this could be a very good thing! I should really be taking advantage of this more.
Have you ever tried adding almond extract to your sugar cookie dough and frosting instead of vanilla? It's delicious! I wish I could share a cookie with all of you, but since I can't, you'll just have to imagine yourself biting into a delicious, almond flavored sugar cookie with just the right amount of crisp and moist and the perfect layer of yummy frosting! or, you could just make some of your own...
Sugar Cookies
1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 butter
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 1/4 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together and beat into creamed mixture, combining thoroughly. With hand, shape dough into a ball; wrap and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or until easy to handle.
Grease cookie sheets lightly. On lightly floured board, roll on-half or one-third of the dough at a time, keeping the rest refrigerated. For crisp cookies, roll dough paper-tin. For softer cookies, roll 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch thick. Cut into shapes desired with floured cookie cutter. Reroll trimmings and cut.
Place cookies one-half inch apart on cookie sheets. Bake at 400 degrees F. about 8 minutes or until a very light brown. Remove cookies to racks to cool. Frost cookies with your favorite frosting and sprinkles.
ENJOY! XOXO!!!
They sound yummy. I am always on the lookout for a good sugar cookie recipe. Just one question -- 1/2 teaspoon of what?
Posted by: Darlene | February 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I put almond extract in just about anything I can! Making sugar cookies is one of my fondest memories from childhood. I think we made them every holiday all year long!
♥ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥
Posted by: Christina | February 14, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Cute AND yummy -- that's my favorite combination!
Posted by: Mary | February 14, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Just the thought of almondy sugar cookies is making me salivate. So nummy!
Posted by: Pieces | February 14, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Your new blog is just lovely. I am a lurker, can't remember how I found you, so I thought I'd say hi. :) Happy Valentine's Day!
Posted by: stephanie | February 14, 2008 at 02:14 PM
Thanks for the almond extract tip! Sounds delicious.
Posted by: natasha | February 14, 2008 at 06:28 PM
your new blog looks almost as good as those cookies. :)
Posted by: leslie | February 14, 2008 at 07:54 PM
I like your new blog. Those cookies look delicious!
Posted by: Kellie | February 15, 2008 at 07:59 AM
yummmmmmmmm
Posted by: iSew | February 15, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I love cookies. Especially sugar cookies, although I rarely make them. Yours look delish.
Posted by: lera | February 15, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Oh, I just love the new look here! Did you design all of this yourself?!
I'm glad you shared the recipe for the sugar cookies. I tried to make some with the kids before Valentine's Day and they were a flop. I'm printing your recipe out to make next time!
Posted by: Darcy | February 15, 2008 at 03:39 PM
we had the best intentions to make v-day sugar cookies (new cookie cutter, ingredients, powdered sugar all in the pantry) but just get it all done - maybe St.Patrick's Day sugar cookies!
I've book marked the new you and look forward to more!
Posted by: kim sue | February 16, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Num@ Thanks for the reciper!
Posted by: Cayenne | February 17, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Ahem. Sorry for the horrible typing. Little Peep is being a bit distracting on my lap.
Posted by: Cayenne | February 17, 2008 at 08:39 AM
lovin the new blog! how are you liking it over there?
Posted by: heidi | February 18, 2008 at 07:09 PM