Almond Shortbread Hearts

These are lovely and crunchy with a hint of spice.

Recipe by Anna Gare

                   

Ingredients:

200gms unsalted butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

2 cups plain flour

1 cup almond meal

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

24 almonds           

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 170 degrees

Cream the butter and sugar using beaters until light and fluffy

Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat in well

Add the almond meal and sift in the flour. Stir altogether until well combined

Push the dough together with your hands to form a smooth ball

Put the ball between 2 pieces of baking paper, push down flat with your hands and then roll out until 4mm thick

Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out. Carefully transfer the hearts to a lined over tray

Press an almond into the centre of each heart

Bake biscuits in the over for 10-12 minutes until pale golden. Set aside on the tray to cool

DEVOUR WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!