Almond cookies recipe

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks/8 oz/226g) butter, margarine, or lard, softened

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon almond extract

48-50 whole almonds, blanched

Glaze: (optional) 2 egg yolks beaten with 4 teaspoons of water for glaze
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F/160 degrees C.

Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl.

Cut in softened butter until mixture resembles cornmeal.

Add beaten egg, and almond extract, mix well.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Place an almond on top of each cookie and press down to flaten slightly. Glaze: (optional) Lightly brush the top of each cookie with the egg yolk glaze.

Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes. Cool on rack.

Makes approximately 4 1/2 dozen cookies.