Sugar Cookie, Royal Icing

1/2 lb. butter
1-1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2-3/4 to 3 cups plain flour
1 tsp. baking powder (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. almond flavoring

1. Sift dry ingredients together and set aside.

2. Cream butter, sugar and eggs, one at a time.

3. Add flavoring to dry ingredients.

4. Put in a zippered plastic bag, mash flat and chill in refrigerator overnight .

5. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thick (make dough thicker if baking on dowels or skewers for a cookie blossom bouquet).

6. Bake on a cookie sheet near the bottom of the oven at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the cookie.

Royal Icing

3 tbsp. meringue powder
6 tbsp. water
1 lb. box powdered sugar

Beat at high speed for 10 minutes. Keep bowl covered with damp cloth to prevent drying.