Flower Sugar Cookies

I thought that these adorable cookies would be a fun change from the regular cut out sugar cookies.  Using a basic sugar cookie dough, simply roll into balls, coat with colored sanding sugar and cut open with a pair of scissors to create flower petals.  A pastel M&M in the center completes this simple creation.  


Flower Sugar Cookies


1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Pastel colored sanding sugar
1/4 cup white frosting
About 40 Easter M&Ms (I used white chocolate M&Ms)


Preheat the oven to 400F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  


In a medium sized bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.    Beat in the flour, baking powder and salt.  Beat well to thoroughly combine.  Scoop dough with a small cookie scoop (about a heaping tablespoon) and roll in the sanding sugar.  With a pair of kitchen shears, cut the dough balls almost in half from the top, leaving the bottom of the dough balls intact.  Do not cut all the way through.   Cut each half of the dough balls into 3 "petals", again leaving the bottom intact.  Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart, spreading the "petals" evenly.  


Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until barely golden brown at the edges. Remove cookies from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  When the cookies have cooled, place 1 M&M in the center of each cookie, using the white frosting as glue.  Makes about 40 cookies.


Enjoy!  -Cardamommy