Almond Wreath Cookies

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

Title: Almond Wreath Cookies
Categories: Cookies
Yield: 60 servings

1/2 c Slivered blanched almonds
1/4 c Sugar
1 c Unsalted butter, softened
1 lg Egg
1 tb Milk
1 1/2 ts Vanilla extract
1/2 ts Almond extract
2 c Flour
1/4 ts Baking powder
1/4 ts Salt
17 Candied green cherries
8 1/2 Candied red cherries

Recipe by: Country Living 12/95
In food processor w/ chopping blade, process almonds and 1/4 c. sugar
unti almonds are finely ground; set aside. Lightly grease 5 baking sheets
(or 2 baking sheets + 3 sheets of aluminum foil or parchment paper, to
chill wreaths before baking).
In large bowl w/ mixer at med. speed, beat butter & remaining 1/2 c.
sugar until light & fluffy. Beat in egg, milk & vanilla & almond extracts
until well blended. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually beat in 1 1/2 c.
flour, the ground almond mixture, baking powder & salt til mixed. Beat in
enough of remaining flour until soft dough forms. Spoon about 1/3 of dough
into large pastry bag w/ 1/4" open star tip. Pipe 1/2" thick strip of dough
onto baking sheets to form 2" diameter wreaths, about 1" apart. Refrigerate
on baking sheets 15 min. to firm dough.
Cut each green cherry into 8 slices. Cut each red cherry into quarters.
Heat oven to 375. Press a red cherry onto each wreath & place 2 green
slices on each side of the red cherry. Bake 8-10 min. - til golden brown
on top & lightly browned on bottom. Cool completely on wire rack. Store in
airtight container. Makes about 5 1/2 doz. cookies.

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