Toasted Almond Spritz Cookies

Toasted Almond Spritz Cookies

These delightful cookies combine toasted almonds with a rich buttery base, perfect for a sweet snack or dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Method

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a baking tray, spread out the almonds and toast them for about 10 to 15 minutes until they are golden brown and fragrant. After toasting, let the almonds cool completely before grinding them in a food processor to a coarse texture, making sure they don't turn into almond butter.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add in the egg, followed by the almond extract and milk. Gradually sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt, and then gently fold in the ground almonds to form a soft dough. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to help it hold its shape while baking.
3. Prepare your baking sheets by lightly greasing them. Use a cookie press to shape the chilled dough into cookies, leaving at least an inch of space between each one. Feel free to experiment with different shapes instead of just traditional stars.
4. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are lightly browned. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a minute before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.