Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies

Got this from the side of a Land O Lakes butter package. I love the flavor of chocolate and almond. At Christmas I usually make them into little square packages and then draw small strings of green or red frosting to make them look like little packages. Try these this holiday.

• Ready In: 22 mins
• Serves: 36

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 3⁄4 cup butter
• 1  egg yolk
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 cup  unsweetened cocoa

• Decorations

•  melted chocolate chips
•  melted  almond bark
•  nuts
•  colored crystal sugar
•  candied fruit
•  maraschino cherry

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375*.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except flour and cocoa.
3. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy (2-3 min.).
4. Gradually add flour and cocoa until well mixed.
5. (2-3 min).
6. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls as desired.
7. You can make them into 1 inch balls, 2-3 inch logs, balls flattened, balls with indentations etc.
8. You can make them in a cookie press too.
9. Place 1" apart on cookie sheets.
10. Bake 7-9 minutes or until set.
11. Cool.
12. Decorate with melted chocolate chips, melted almond bark, nuts, colored sugars, candied fruit, candies, maraschino cherries, etc.