Sparkle Cookies

These little gems are the easiest way to fill a Christmas cookie tin fast.

Starting with a golden sugar cookie mix as the base, the dough gets a boost from cream of tartar, baking soda, and almond extract that gives them a soft, slightly tangy crumb with a hint of marzipan-like sweetness.

Roll the dough balls in red and green colored sugar before baking, and they come out of the oven with a sparkly, crackled coating that looks incredibly festive.

Makes four dozen, which is handy because they disappear fast.

Kitchen Tips

• Use softened butter, not melted. Softened butter creates a dough that holds its ball shape and doesn’t spread too thin in the oven.
• Roll the balls generously in the colored sugar so the coating is thick and visible after baking.
• Pull them from the oven when they’re just barely light brown on the edges. They’ll firm up as they cool and stay soft in the center.