Empire Cookies

Ingredients

• 0.5 cups butter
• 0.5 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 cups raspberry jam
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 0.25 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 tablespoon hot water
• 0.25 cups candied cherries , chopped

Instructions

1. 1

   Cream butter. Add sugar, creaming well. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture.

2. 2

   On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 2 inch rounds, and place on ungreased baking sheets.

3. 3

   Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until very lightly browned at edges. Cool thoroughly.

4. 4

   Spread half of the cookies with jam, and top with remaining cookies.

5. 5

   Combine confectioners' sugar, almond extract, and enough hot water to make a thin icing. Frost tops of cookies. Top each with a small piece of candied cherry.