Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line cookie sheets with nonstick baking mats.

In the bowl of an electric mixer cream together sugar and butter until fluffy. Add egg and almond extract and mix until incorporated, scraping down the sides as necessary.

In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Add to the wet mixture and mix until incorporated. Mix in enough green food coloring to achieve desired color.

Form dough into 1 1/2" balls and set on cookie sheets at least 2" apart. Use a fork to press dough down in a criss cross pattern, perpendicular to each other.

Place in oven and bake for approximately 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a red candy in the center of each cookie. Let cool for 5-10 minutes on the cookie sheets, then carefully remove cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.