ALMOND COOKIES

 ALMOND COOKIES 

Ingredients

•             Almonds              36

•             Refined flour   1 3/4 cups

•             Baking powder 1 teaspoon

•             Soda bicarbonate             1/2 teaspoon

•             Salt         1/4 teaspoon

•             Butter   1/2 cup

•             Sugar     3/4 cup

•             Eggs       2 large

•             Almond essence              1/2 teaspoon

•             Vanilla essence                 1 teaspoon

Method

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease cookie sheets (baking trays). Blanch almonds in two cups of hot water for ten minutes. Drain and peel. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Sieve the mixture. Cream butter and sugar in mixing bowl until light. Add one egg and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in almond and vanilla essences. Gradually add dry ingredients and knead lightly to make a dough. Beat the remaining egg lightly. Divide the dough into one and a quarter inch diameter balls. Arrange them two inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Flatten each slightly with the palm of the hand and brush lightly with the beaten egg. Gently press an almond in the center of each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for ten to twelve minutes at 350F or until golden brown. Cool on racks and serve.