Sparkling Star Cookies

A touch of finely chopped almond adds flavor and texture to these star-shaped cookies.

Makes 5 dozen cookies

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 3/4 cups Gold Medal all-purpose flour
1/3 cup finely chopped almonds
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons edible glitter (any color) or candy sprinkles

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Mix granulated sugar, butter and egg in medium bowl. Stir in flour, almonds, baking soda and salt.

3. Divide dough into 3 parts. Roll each part 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered surface. Cut with 2- to 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 6 to 7 minutes or until edges are light brown; Cool completely, about 1 hour.

5. Mix powdered sugar and water until smooth and a thin spreading consistency. Spread very thinly on cookies. Sprinkle with edible glitter.

(Total time will vary; cook or bake time is per batch.)

Nutrition Information: 1 Serving: Calories 60 (Calories from Fat 20 ); Total Fat 2 g (Saturated Fat 1 g); Cholesterol 5 mg; Sodium 40 mg; Total Carbohydrate 9 g (Dietary Fiber 0g); Protein 1 g

Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 2 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 0%; Iron 0%

Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 1/2 Fat

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Success:
When you don't fill up your cookie sheet, you end up with unevenly baked cookies. If you don't have enough cookie dough to fill a cookie sheet, use an upside-down cake pan instead.

Variation:
Who can resist a star sandwich? Spread about 1 tablespoon of ready-to-spread frosting on a cookie; sandwich two cookies, bottoms together.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Betty Crocker 2007/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved