Chewy Almond Cookies

I love almost any recipe that includes almond paste. Many Maltese holiday baked goods are made with it, so it probably conjures up sense memories of delicious treats from my childhood. These cookies are a snap to make. They require few ingredients and look really festive. If you're like me and always have some almond paste stashed away in your pantry, you can whip up a batch of these cookies in a flash and add them to your holiday menu. A dip in melted chocolate is optional. But I can't resist the combination of almonds, chocolate and cherries. And at Easter time, shouldn't everything be dipped in chocolate?

I miss my darling Henry everyday, but especially on holidays. 

He was always particularly tolerant of my need to photograph him with festive accessories.

Simple ingredients. Complex flavor.

You can use a standing mixer, but I'm partial to my
trusty wooden spoon and vintage Pyrex bowl for this recipe. 

Roll the cookies in flaked or slivered almonds to coat.
Press in any stray nuts by hand for full coverage.

Chewy Almond Cookies 

Makes about 1 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

1 8oz box of almond paste

1/2c sugar

1 egg white

6  Maraschino cherries, drained and halved 

1/2 tsp almond extract 

1/2c slivered almonds

pinch of salt

melted chocolate for dipping-optional

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

1. In a large mixing bowl crumble almond paste into pieces - I do this by hand. Add sugar and mix with well with a spoon or with the paddle attachment on your standing mixer. It should look like sand.

2. Add the egg white, almond extract and a pinch of salt. Blend well.

3. Scoop batter into small balls using teaspoons or a small scooper. Roll balls in almonds and place on parchment lined baking sheets. Make an indentation in the center of each cookie and a cherry.

4. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or just until cookies begin to color. Cool on racks. 

Optional: Dip in melted chocolate if desired and place on wax parer lined cookie sheets. 

Cool cookies in the refrigerator until set. Store in an airtight container.