1 1/3 c. butter
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. almond extract or 1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
Desired food colorings
8-10 wooden sticks

Turn the oven to 350 degrees. With adult help put butter in the large mixing bowl. turn on the electric mixer to medium speed and beat until butter is softened (about 30 seconds).

Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add almond extract or vanilla, then beat well. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour and beat until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Divide mixture into several parts depending on the number of different colors you want. Add food coloring to each part, beating with clean beaters in a clean bowl for each color, and mixing until dough is smooth and the color is mixed in.

Form dough into animal or people shapes that are about 1/2 inch thick and 5 inches tall. Place cookies about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Carefully insert a stick about 2 inches into the body portion of each cookie character. (Make sure the stick is inserted into the dough.)

With adult help, put the pan in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are firm but not brown. Turn off oven. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and put on a cooling rack. Cool completely on cookie sheet. Using a pancake turner, carefully lift the cookies from the sheet.