Spice Cookies (Speculaas)

Ingredients

 * 1 cup margarine or butter
 * 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
 * 1 1/2 tsps ground cinnamon
 * 1 tsp. baking powder
 * 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
 * 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
 * 1/4 tsp. salt
 * 1 egg
 * 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
 * 1/3 cup finely chopped blanched almonds (optional)
 * Blanched whole almonds (optional)

Directions

 * 1) Beat margarine or butter with a mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds or by hand. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, cloves and salt.
 * 2) Beat in egg and flour. Add chopped almonds if using. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured board and cut into shapes (windmills and Sinterklaas/Santa shapes are traditional but we also cut them into the children's initials).
 * 3) Decorate with whole almonds if using. Place one inch apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake in 350 degree F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
 * 4) Cool 1 minute, transfer to wire racks to cool completely.