nd bake in moderate oven (350-f) for 15
minutes. Cut into squares or diamonds while still warm. Ice thinly with
plain white or lemon frosting. This is an old recipe for an oldtime
Christmas favorite.

CHRISTMAS BUTTER COOKIES

1 cup soft butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2-1/4 cups flour, sifted

Cream butter until it resembles whipped cream and slowly add the sugar,
beating well. Add flour gradually and blend thoroughly. Wrap in waxed
paper and chill for several hours. Knead dough slightly on floured
board, form into a smooth ball. Roll to about 1/8 inch thick and cut to
desired shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake in moderate
oven (350-f) about 12 minutes. When cold decorate with butter icing,
candied fruit, etc.

ALMOND MACAROONS

1 cup almond paste
3/4 cup sugar
3 egg whites
salt

Rub paste until smooth, gradually work in the sugar until well mixed.
Add a pinch of salt and beat in one egg white at a time, mixing
thoroughly. Let stand for 20 minutes. Drop teaspoonfuls on lightly
buttered baking sheet. Bake in slow oven (300-f) for 25 or 30 minutes
until surface is dry. Keep in cool place overnight.

SUGAR CAKES

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup thick milk

Mix eggs and butter well. Then add milk and soda. Mix in enough flour to
make a soft dough, just so you can roll it. Cut into any shapes you
wish. Sprinkle with granulated sugar, bake in a moderately heated oven.

HICKORY NUT KISSES

2 cups sugar
2 cups hickory nuts, chopped fine
6 egg whites
3 tablespoons flour

Beat egg whites lightly, add sugar, then nut kernels, lastly the flour.
Drop on greased tins and bake in moderate oven. 350 degrees.

"BELSNICKEL" CHRISTMAS CAKES

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt

Pour melted butter over sugar in a bowl and beat until smooth and
creamy. Add the eggs, beating one at a time, into the mixture. Sift the
baking soda thru the flour add the salt and add to the cake mixture.
Stand the dough in a cold place for an hour. Roll out on floured board,
quite thin. Cut into small rounds or other shapes. Sprinkle with sugar
and bake in hot oven (400-f) for 10 minutes.

GINGER COOKIES--GINGERBREAD MEN

2/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves or allspice
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg
3/4