Day 5: Melt-In-Your-Mouth Soft Almond Cookies

Freaky Friday is finally here! Alright, alright, more like Frumpy Friday is happening right now. At this point, all I want to do is change into something comfortable and lounge-y, and start getting to work with the sugars and flour. So today will be short and sweet.

Welcome to Day 5 of my 12 Days of Christmas. Today's feature: melt-in-you-mouth soft almond cookies. I made these very cookies for a recent family potluck and they are a definite hit. It has just the right amount of almond flavor without being too overwhelming. Also, I love the graininess of the large sugar crystals coating the cookies; turbinado sugar is awesome that way. These cookies would be perfect for teatime or even with some hot apple cider.

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Soft Almond Cookies

From Cody Kitchen Confections

Makes about 7 dozen cookies

ingredients

2/3 cup unsalted butter, cold

2/3 cup shortening, room temperature

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons almond extract

2 3/4 cups cake flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

turbinado sugar (natural brown sugar), for coating

make the dough

1. Cream together the sugar, butter, and shortening.

2. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Then add the almond extract and mix.

3. In a separate bowl, combine both flours, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined. Do not overmix your dough.

4. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking.

equipment prep

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line your baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.

bake

1. Roll 2 teaspoons of dough into a ball, then roll and coat the ball with the turbinado sugar and place on your prepared baking sheet. Be sure to space your cookies about 1 inch apart. Return your bowl of dough to the refrigerator in between rolling batches.

2. Bake the cookies at 350°F for 7-8 minutes, and no more than 8 minutes.

3. Remove your cookie sheet from the oven and gently flatten the cookies with the back of a spoon, while they are still hot and pliable. Flatten to your desired thickness.

4. Once cookies have cooled for about 10 minutes, move them to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.

*** ENJOY!