CHINESE ALMOND COOKIES

Ingredients:
Blanched almonds - 2 1/2 cups
Sifted All purpose flour - 2 1/4 cups
Butter - 1 1/4 cup
Sugar - 1 1/4 cups

Method:

• Finely chop 1 2/3 cups almonds; toast remaining almonds, if desired, and set aside for garnish.
• Mix flour and chopped almonds; set aside.
• Cream butter; add sugar gradually, beating thoroughly.
• Add flour mixture gradually, mixing until blended after each addition.
• Divide dough into three parts, wrap in waxed paper, and chill for one hour or until easy to handle.
• Shape dough into 1" balls; place about 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets and flatten each until about 1/2" thick. press a whole almond onto the top of each.
• Bake at 325 F for 10-15 minutes.
• Immediately remove cookies to wire rack.