Italian Cookies with Icing

1 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2 . Stage

Sift flour and baking powder together into a bowl.

3 . Stage

Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in almond extract. Add flour mixture, 1 cup at a time; mix on low speed until incorporated. Roll batter into teaspoon-sized balls and place on the prepared baking sheets.

4 . Stage

Bake in batches in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

5 . Stage

While cookies are baking, beat confectioners' sugar, milk, and almond extract for icing in a bowl until smooth.

6 . Stage

Set cooled cookies close together on a cookie sheet. Frost with icing and sprinkle with nonpareils.