3 1/2 cups butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon half-and-half
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs.

Add baking powder, then cream, then almond extract. Add flour, 1 cup at a time. Blend together.

Refrigerate dough for at least 1 to 2 hours.

Roll dough out on floured board. Use star, dreidel and menorah-shaped cutters. Sprinkle with blue sugar and/or silver ball decors. Bake at 325 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch them carefully since they cook quickly; don't over-brown.