Title: Valentine Cookies
 Categories: Cookies
      Yield: 4 servings
 
    3/4 c  Margarine or butter,
           -softened
    3/4 c  Honey
    1/4 ts Almond extract
  2 1/2 c  All-purpose flour
    1/2 c  Finely chopped almonds
 
  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  
  In a large bowl, beat margarine, honey and almond extract with an
  electric mixer until mixture is light and fluffy. Add flour, 1 cup at
  a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in almonds. On
  ungreased cookie sheets, shape 1/2-cup portions of dough into heart
  shapes, no more than 1/2-inch thick. Decorate as desired by following
  one of the tips below or by using a tooth-pick, fork or other kitchen
  tool to create a design. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until edges turn
  brown. Cool 5 minutes and remove from pan.
  
  Decorating tips:
  
  You can create a design on top of the cookies using white or colored
  candy sprinkles.
  
  Or you could crimp the edges of heart, making a design using the
  tines of fork, or a knife, spatula or spoon. Sprinkle baked cookies
  with powdered sugar.
  
  If you are an experienced baker, you may want to paint a design with a
  simple egg-yolk paint. Separate an egg; put the egg yolk in a small
  bowl and mix with 1/2 teaspoon water and enough red food coloring to
  make the desired sired shade of red. Using a clean paint brush, paint
  a design on cookie using the colored yolk. Or place a small doily on
  cookie and, using a clean, stiff brush, work the egg paint through
  the cutouts and create a lacy effect. Remember that this is all done
  before the cookies are baked.
  
  Makes 4 large cookies.
  
  CHERI SWOBODA FOODday home economist, from the Oregonian's FOODday,
  2/9/93.