Cotton Tail Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder

colored sugars
miniature marshmallows

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Combine butter and sugar in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (1-2 minutes). Add egg and almond extract; continue beating until well mixed (1-2 minutes). Reduce speed to low; add flour and baking powder. Beat until well mixed (1-2 minutes).

2. For each cookie, shape level tablespoonful of dough into 5 1/2 inch rope on lightly floured surface if necessary. Make two twists in the rope. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake for 14-16 minutes or just until set.

3. Immediately after removing cookies from oven, place 1 miniature marshmallow on each cookie for tail. Cool completely.

Helpful hints:

If colored sugar doesn't stick to the cookies after they're formed, keep a small dish of water handy and pat the dough surface with wet finger. Immediately top with colored sugar.

If marshmallow doesn't stick to finished cookie, top with marshmallows and place cookies back in oven for an additional 30 seconds.