Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 c sugar
3/4 c butter
1 egg yolk
1 ts almond extract
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl combine all ingredients except flour and cocoa. Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy (2-3 min.). Gradually add flour and cocoa until well mixed (2-3 min.). Shape rounded teaspoonfuls as desired (1" balls, 2"-3" logs, blls flattened, balls with indentations, etc.) or use cookie press. Place 1" apart on cookie sheets. Bake for 7-9 minutes or until set. Cool. Decorate with melted chocolate chips, melted almond bark, nuts, colored sugars, candied fruit, candies, maraschino cherries, etc. ----