Almond Cookies

Recipe origin: China

Ingredients

• 2½ cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 Tablespoon almond extract
• About 48 whole almonds, unsalted

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease cookie sheets.
2. Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. With a fork, slowly add shortening, a little at a time, to the flour mixture.
4. Add the beaten eggs and almond extract.
5. Shape the dough into balls the size of a large cherry.
6. Place the dough onto the cookie sheets and press an almond into the center of each cookie.
7. Bake for 25 minutes.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.