LEMON SUGAR COOKIE SNOWFLAKES

Steps:

• For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the confectioners' sugar and butter. Add the lemon extract, vanilla extract and eggs, and mix until the eggs are incorporated. Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing between each addition, and then add the zest. The dough should be soft, but not sticky. Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thick. Use snowflake cookie cutters to cut out the cookies (25 to 30 cookies depending on the size) and place on the prepared sheets. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the cookies to cooling racks and cool to room temperature before decorating.
• Roll out the modeling chocolate using a pasta roller or heavy rolling pin to 1/8-inch thick. Using the same snowflake cookie cutter (wiped clean with a paper towel), cut out the snowflake shapes.
• For the syrup: Warm the corn syrup in the microwave, 20 to 30 seconds, then stir in the almond extract.
• Using a pastry brush, paint the top of a cookie with the syrup and immediately, but carefully, place a modeling chocolate snowflake on top. Position the modeling chocolate carefully before setting on a cookie, as it will stick very quickly. Rub your fingers over the edges gently to secure the modeling chocolate. Repeat for the remaining cookies.
• Use the remaining syrup to decorate the cookies. Paint a design, the edges or the entire surface of the cookies, and top with nonpareils, sanding sugar, crystal sugar or other decorations.