Preheat oven to:  Preheat oven to 350°F.

This will make 48 cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutter.  I usually get about 36.

I cover my baking pans with parchment paper.

INGREDIENTS

1  cup butter, softened

1  cup granulated sugar

2  large eggs

1  tsp vanilla extract

1  tsp almond extract (if you don’t like almond, try lemon, or another flavor of your choice

1  tsp salt

1  tsp baking powder

4  cups all purpose flour

Red food coloring – liquid or gel

1. Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs, and flavorings.
2. Mix salt, baking powder and flour in a separate bowl. Gradually add to wet ingredients, mixing until mixture is totally combined.
3. Divide dough into two bowls. Add a small amount of food coloring to one bowl, beating until the color is smoothly blended and no streaks.
4. Divide the white dough in half and divide the red dough in half.  Chill in the refrigerator about an hour.
5. Take clumps of red and white dough, forming a checkerboard on a piece of lightly floured parchment paper. Roll the dough to about a ¼ in chick marbelizing the colors.  Cut out using your favorite Valentine’s Day cookie cutters.
6. Bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes – should be light golden on the bottom. Rest on the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

When the cookies are completely cooled, brush with a slight glaze made from sifted confectioners’ sugar, and milk.  Decorate with sprinkles if desired.