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Almond Squares

Picture
These are light, crispy and delicious cookies that are rolled out and cut into squares with a pizza cutter.  However, for the holidays, you could use a simple shape cookie cutter such as a star or Christmas tree.  They have become a favorite in my home since I discovered this cookie. 
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups of toasted, pealed almonds chopped
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
zest of one lemon chopped fine
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 2/3 cups of flour
1/3 cup of butter
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil - choose a light and fruity oil
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Equipment
Food Processor
Electric Mixer
Baking Sheet
Oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 Celsius

Making Almond Squares
Step 1:  Toast almonds until they are golden brown (generally this will take about 10 to 15 minutes in an oven at 350 degrees).  When they are cool chop in a food processor until they are fairly fine in consistency but not to the extent of almond flour
Step 2:  While the almonds are browning, let your butter reach room temperature.
Step 3:  Mix the flour, sugar, salt baking powder, lemon rind and chopped almonds in the electric mixer to mix.
Step 4:  Add the eggs , butter, and olive oil to the dry ingredients and mix to incorporate.
Step 5:  Divide the dough into thirds.  The dough will be very sticky.
Step 6:  On a well floured surface, work the first third of the dough into a ball. You may wish to add a little flour to make the dough easier to handle, but too much flour will take away from the lightness and crispness of these cookies.   With a rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle until the dough is thin, about 1/8 of an inch in thickness. 
Step 7:  With a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 2 inch by 3 inch squares or use a simple cookie cutter shape such as a star.  Transfer each cookie to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 8:  Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the remaining 2/3 of the dough.
Step 9:  Place the baking sheet in the center of your preheated oven, and bake the cookies for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.  They should be slightly golden brown in color.
Step 10:  Remove the cookies from the oven and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar or if you prefer decorate with melted chocolate.  For a holiday cookie you could also decorate these with colored sugars before putting them into the oven.
Buon Appetito!
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