Sensational Chocolate-Almond Sandwiches

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Title: Sensational Chocolate-Almond Sandwiches
Categories: Cookies
Yield: 28 servings

Cocoa-almond cookies:
3/4 c Whole blanched almonds; 4 oz
3/4 c Sugar
1 3/4 c All-purpose flour
3 tb Unsweetened dutch processed
-cocoa
1 ts Baking powder
8 oz Unsalted butter; soften
-slightly
White chocolate ganache:
6 oz Fine-quality white c
-hocoloate
=(very finely chopped)
1/2 c Whipping cream

Recipe by: Sensational Chocolate
White chocolate ganache is the filling of these thin, extra- crisp,
cocoa-almond cookies. The cookies are easy to shape - the dough is simply
formed into cylinders and sliced. Cookies: Grind almonds with sugar in food
processor to a fine powder. Sift flour, cocoa and baking powder into a
medium bowl. Cream butter in a large bowl. Add almond mixture; beat until
smooth and fluffy. Using a wooden spoon, stir in cocoa mixture. Dough will
seem dry at first, but stir until it comes together. Divide dough in half.
Spoon each half onto a sheet of waxed paper. Roll in a log, about 1.1/2
inches in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate 2 hours. Roll each log
again to an even round shape. Refrigerate 4 hours or intil firm.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375. Cut each log in
about 1/4 inch thick slices with a thin sharp knife. Put slices on
ungreased baking sheet, about 1.1/2 inches apart. Bake 10 to 11 minutes or
until cookies are just set; they burn easily on the bottom. Carefully
transfer to racks with a metal spatula; cool completely.
Ganache: Put white chocolate in a small bowl. Bring cream to a full
boil in a small heavy saucepan. Pour over chocolate all at once. Stir with
a whisk until mixture is smooth. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate 30
minutes, stirring occasionally with whisk, until cold and thick, but not
set. Whip mixture at high speed 3 minutes or until lighter in color and
thickened. Spread about 2 teaspoons ganache on flat sides of half the
cookies. Sandwich each with a flat side of a second cookie, choosing
cookies of the same size to put together. Refrigerate 15 minutes to set
before serving. Cookies can be kept, covered, 1 week in the refrigerator.
Serve at room temperature. Makes 28 cookie sandwiches.

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