Marbled Icing Sugar Cookies

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• Makes about 30 cookies
• Sugar Cookies
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp (2g) baking powder
• 1/4 tsp (1g) salt
• 1/2 cup (110g) butter, room temperature
• 1/3 cup (70g) sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract
• Royal Icing
• 1 1/2 cups (180g) powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 tsp (3ml) lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp (1g) almond extract
• red food coloring
• green food coloring

1. In a medium bowl combine flour with baking powder and salt.
2. In a large bowl mix butter and sugar at medium-high speed until light and creamy. Add egg and beat until smooth. Beat in vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and stir to incorporate.
3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, press to form a disk and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or if in a hurry freeze for 30 mins. The dough needs to be cold for easier rolling as this help the cookies keep their shape.
4. Preheat oven to 375 F(190C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. On a lightly floured surface roll the dough 1/8 to ¼ inch (3-6 mm) thick. Use Christmas cookie cutters and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Re-roll scraps and repeat.
6. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until lightly golden brown on the edges.
7. Let them cool for 2 minutes on baking sheets; remove and cool completely on wire rack.
8. Prepare royal icing. Mix egg white until foamy. Add powdered sugar and mix on low until combined. Add lemon juice and almond extract and continue mixing until white and glossy.
9. Put about 2 tbsp of icing into a small bowl and add red food coloring. Put another 2 tbsp of icing into a small bowl and add green food coloring.
10. If icing seems too thick add about ¼ tsp of water.
11. Place the white icing into a bowl and drizzle some red and green icing on top. Use a toothpick to create a marble effect. Dip cookies in the marbled icing, shake, clean the edges using a knife or simply a toothpick and place on a rack to let the icing set.
12. Add more green and red icing on top of the white icing and repeat until all cookies are done.
13. Let the icing set and enjoy. The cookies freeze well.