Almond cookies #1

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.03
  
       Title: ALMOND COOKIES #1
  Categories: Cookie/bars, China, Formatted, Archived
       Yield: 32 Cookies
  
     1/2 c  Lard; room temp - do not
            -substitute
     1/4 c  Shortening
     2/3 c  Sugar; granulated
     1/4 c  Sugar, brown, light; packed,
            -sifted thru coarse serive
       2 ea Eggs
       1 tb Almond extract
   2 1/2 c  Flour, all-purpose
     3/4 ts Baking soda
       1 ts Salt
       2 tb Water
      32 ea Apricot pits; (traditional)
            -or substitute 32 whole
            -blanched almonds
  
     1) In med. size bowl, cream together lard, vegetable
   shortening, and sugars until very light and creamy.
   Beat in one of the eggs and the almond extract.
     2) Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.
     3) Beating at low speed if using mixer, add the four
   mixture to the creamed mixture, abt. 1/3 at a time.
   Press dough together with your hands to form 2 balls,
   which will be very crumbly.
     4) Place each ball on wax paper and roll into
   cylinder abt. 8" long. Chill several hrs. or better
   yet: overnight.
     5) Preheat oven to 275 F. Beat remaining egg with
   the 2 tb. water.
     6) With sharp, serrated knife cut each cylinder into
   16 equal slices. Place on lge. ungreased baking sheet.
   Brush cookies with egg wash and press an almond into
   center of each.
     7) Bake cookies in center of over for 25 min., then
   raise heat to 325 F. and bake 10 to 15 min. more, or
   until golden brown.
     8) Transfer cookies to rack and let cool completely.
   Store airtight for several weeks. You can obtain
   traditional apricot pits at any health food store.
      formatted and reposted by
   DonW1948@aol.com / homepage
   http://members.aol.com/DonW1948/homepage.htm
  
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