Name: Almond Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 3 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup shortening; 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon almond extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons sliced almonds

Quick and easy to make yet quite appealing on the plate, these almond cookies are a great sweet treat for any occasion. Sliced almonds give the tops a pretty "floral" design.

Ingredients

1 cup shortening

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sliced almonds

Instructions

1 Prepare the cookie dough

2 Preheat the oven 350°F. In a small bowl, cream the shortening, 1/2 cup of sugar and the brown sugar, mixing until the blend is light and fluffy. Next, beat in the egg and almond extract. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt, and then gradually add this dry mixture to the creamed mixture and mix well.

3 Shape and decorate the cookies

4 Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, and roll them in the remaining sugar. Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets, then flatten them with the bottom of a glass. Press three almond slices into the center of each cookie.

5 Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Let them cool on the baking sheets for two minutes before removing them to wire racks to cool completely.