Ingredients

• 1-1/2  cups butter. softened
• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4  teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 3-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
•   Coarse or colored sugar (optional)

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar and baking powder. Beat until combined, scraping bowl. Beat in egg, vanilla, and, if desired, almond extract until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour with a wooden spoon.

2. Force unchilled dough through a cookie press into Xs and 0s onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle lightly with coarse or colored sugar, if desired.

3. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm but not brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Makes about 84 cookies.

To Present This As a Gift: You will need a square food tin; gold spray paint; fabric paints in copper and glitter silver; parchment paper, waxed paper, or plastic wrap; ribbon; scissors; gold and silver papers; thick white crafts glue; small gold jewels; paper punch; and narrow ribbon.

In a well-ventilated work area, spray-paint the lid and base of tin gold. Let dry. Using fabric paints, draw Xs and 0s on top of the lid and on the sides of the tin. Let the paint dry. Line box and cover cookies with parchment paper, waxed paper, or plastic wrap to protect food from coming into contact with spray-painted surfaces. Wrap box with ribbon; tie ribbon into a bow.

For the tag, cut two slightly different-size squares from gold and silver papers. Cut rounded corners on each of the squares. Glue the smaller square on top of the larger one. Let dry. Glue small gold jewels in each corner. Let dry. Punch a hole near the edge. Thread a ribbon through the hole to attach to the package.

Also Try This: Use fabric paints to write a personalized message on the ribbon.