1996 honorable mention: kourambiethes (almond shortbread)

1/2 c  blanched almonds
      1 lb Unsalted butter; softened
      1 lb Confectioners' sugar
      2    Egg yolks
      3 tb Cognac
      1 ts vanilla extract
      3 c  Cake flour
    1/2 ts baking powder
 
    Bess Gallanis Hayes of Winnetka, Illinois won an honorable mention in
    the 1996 Chicago Tribune Annual Holiday Cookie Contest with these
    Greek almond shortbread cookies.
  
    1. Heat oven to 350'F. Spread almonds in single layer on baking sheet.
    Bake, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes.
    Remove from oven; cool, then chop coarsely.
  
    2. Beat butter in large bowl of electric mixer on medium-high speed
    until very light and fluffy, 5 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of the
    confectioners' sugar; continue beating 3 minutes.
  
    3. Add egg yolks, Cognac and vanilla; beat until smooth. Beat in
    almonds, flour and baking powder until mixed well. (If dough is too
    soft to handle, add additional flour.)
  
    4. Shape scant tablespoons full of dough between palms into round
    balls or crescents. Bake on ungreased baking sheets until set and
    very pale golden in color; 15 minutes. Remove cookies to cooling rack.
  
    5. Place remaining confectioners' sugar into sifter. While cookies are
    still hot, sift confectioners' sugar over tops. Repeat twice at
    20-minutes intervals.
  
    Source: Chicago Tribune, December 4, 1996
 
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