Ingredients
1 cup sugar, divided 2 to 3 drops red food coloring2 to 3 drops green food coloring1/2 cup butter, softened1/2 cup shortening1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar1 teaspoon almond extract2-1/3 cups all-purpose flourFROSTING:2 cups confectioners’ sugar3 tablespoons butter, softened4-1/2 teaspoons heavy whipping cream3/4 teaspoon almond extractRed and green food coloring, optional
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and red food coloring; set aside. In another bowl, combine remaining sugar with green food coloring; set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. Gradually beat in flour. Shape into 1/2-in. balls.
Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Coat bottoms of two glasses with cooking spray, then dip one in red sugar and the other in green sugar. Flatten cookies alternately with prepared glasses, redipping in sugar as needed. Bake until edges are lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, combine confectioners’ sugar, butter, cream and extract. If desired, use food coloring to tint half of the frosting red and the other half green. Frost the bottoms of half of the cookies; cover with remaining cookies.
