Step #2 beat butter on medium to high speed for 30 seconds -- add sugar, baking soda & 1/4 tsp salt.
Step #3 Beat until mixd.
Step #4 beat in honey, egg & if desired, lemon extract until mixd.
Step #5 add flour by beating in or stirring in -- until mixd.
Step #6 Chill 1 hr or until it is easy enough to handle.
Step #7 preheat your trusty oven to 375*.
Step #8 lightly grease a cookie sheet, set aside.
Step #9 on a lightly floured surface, roll dough until it is 1/4" thick.
Step #10 using 2 1/2" cookie cutters, cut dough into desired shapes.
Step #11 place cutouts 1" apart on prepared cookie sheet.
Step #12 bake in a preheated 375* oven for 7-8 mins or until cookies are golden & edges are set.
Step #13 transfer to a wire rack & cool.
Step #14 frost with honey butter frosting & if desired, top this with honey bees.
Step #15 Yield about 30 cookies.
Step #16 to prepare HONEY BUTTER FROSTING:.
Step #17 in a medium saucepan, mix 3 tbls butter & 3 tbls honey.
Step #18 bring to boiling, remove this from heat & stir in the 2 c powdered sugar & 2 tsps lemon juice.
Step #19 cool to about room temp.
Step #20 if necessary, add milk, one tsp at a time until frosting is of desired spreading consistency.
Step #21 to prepare HONEY BEES.
Step #22 prepare another honey butter frosting -- then divide in half.
Step #23 tint one half with yellow food coloring.
Step #24 mix well.
Step #25 mix remaining frosting with 1/4 c melted semisweet chocolate chips.
Step #26 stir in the extra milk, one 1 tsp at a time until both frostings are of piping consistency.
Step #27 pipe alternate bands of yellow & brown frosting on top of each cookie.
Step #28 pipe antennae with brown frosting.
Step #29 add slices almonds for wings.
Step #30 to STORE:.
Step #31 place cookies in layers seperated by waxed aper in an airtight container, cover & store at about room temp for up to 3 days or freeze unfrosted cookies up to 1 month.