Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 300g sugar (1 1/2 cup)
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp almond extract
• 500g flour (4 cup)
• 60g corn starch (1/2 cup)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• Powdered sugar, vanilla, and green food coloring for the icing

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl combine butter, shortening and sugar. Beat until fluffy.
2. Turn mixer down to the lowest setting and add egg, vanilla and almond extract.
3. Add baking powder. Sift in and flour and cornstarch until mixed thoroughly (1-2 minutes).
4. Chill the dough to make it easier to work with
5. Place a chunk of dough between two sheets of parchment (or fold a large piece in half) Roll dough out to desired thickness (I usually do 1/4- 3/8") and freeze the sheet until it's firm
6. Cut the individual cookies out of the frozen dough 1"x2"
7. It's best to put uncooked cookies on cold baking sheets before baking to keep the dough firm. If you have enough baking sheets to not have to re-use them between batches that is the best way to go. Otherwise, just make sure the baking sheet has cooled completely before putting more cookies on it.
8. Bake baking sheets at 325º for 12-13 minutes. Cookies will be soft. Let sit on baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully moving to a cooling rack. Cool completely or freeze before frosting.

Notes

• Add royal icing recipe w/ green food coloring, draw the tree upside down and sprinkle with "ornaments"