Caldecott and Newberry 2016 Winners

Quote from "The Book Thief" 

A post not to miss! An impressive list with some authors winning in both categories.
http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2016/01/caldecott-newbery-winners/

If you scroll all the way down on the list you will see that Nancy Plain, author of "This Strange  The Life and Art of John James Audubon" was mentioned as a finalist in the Non-Fiction Awards. 

Her book was reviewed last spring on Ever Ready.

  http://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2015/04/this-strange-wilderness-by-nancy-plain.html

Let's celebrate all the winners and finalists with a plate of Almond Sugar Cookies.

Cook's notes: Recipe makes 18 but depends on the size of the cookie cutter and how thin dough is rolled. 

Cooking tip: Make sure wax paper stays well floured while rolling dough out and cookie cutter.
Cookie Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 2-1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. each vanilla and almond extract

Cookie Directions:

• Cream butter and sugar, blend in egg, water, vanilla and almond extract.
• Sift flour with salt and baking powder.
• Beat butter mixture with flour mixture. It may be necessary to knead dough by adding in more  flour to form ball.  
• Wrap dough in wax paper and put in freezer for a 1/2 hour until slightly chilled.
• Roll dough out on floured surfaces using a cookie cutter for desired shapes. 
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place cookies on baking pan. 
• Bake 375 for 8 minutes or until slightly brown on bottom

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 TB melted butter
• 2 TB. Amaretto
• drops of red food coloring

Frosting Directions:

• Beat ingredients until desired frosting consistency. 
• Add more milk by tablespoons if needed.