To make the cookies:
Preheat oven 350 degrees. Knead together flour, sugar, butter, half-half and almond extract until well mixed. Shape about 2 tablespoons dough around a well drained marachino cherry and roll into a ball. Place onto ungreased sheets and
press down on each ball gently to flatten out bottoms. Bake for about 15 minutes or until cookies are firm but not brown. Transfer to racks to cool completely.

To make the almond glaze:
In small bowl, mix all glaze ingredients together until smooth. Dip cookies in glaze to coat and set on racks (over paper sheets to catch drips) until dry, about 30 minutes.