1 1/2    STICKS BUTTER OR MARGARINE
3/4 c  SUGAR
1    EGG
1/2 ts VANILLA OR ALMOND
EXTRACT (to taste)
2 c  ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
1/4 ts BAKING POWDER
1/4 ts SALT
MILK FOR BRUSHING ON TOP OF
SUGAR FOR DECORATING

Use an electric mixer and beat butter or margarine until soft. Add 3/4 cup
sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla or almond flavoring and
beat again. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together and add to
butter-sugar-egg mixture a little bit at a time. Divide the dough into 2
parts, wrap in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to
get hard enough to play with like modeling clay. Then make small balls of
dough and roll into ropes. Shape the ropes into numbers or letters on an
ungreased cookie sheet, leaving a little space between them. Brush with a
little milk, sprinkle on a bit of sugar and bake at 375 degrees F for about
10 minutes. Cool on a rack.