4 1/2 c. flour, sifted
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1/4 tsp. almond extract
3 eggs

Sift together flour, salt and soda. Cream together sugar, butter, almond and eggs. Combine mixtures; roll out dough until about 1/4 inch thick. Cut using cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cool cookies, then frost with colored icings.

"These are our family's tradition at Christmas time, and they're so good, we adapt the recipe to other holidays all year round (Valentine's Day hearts, Easter bunnies, Halloween pumpkins, etc.) "