Almond-kissed Cookies

Description
About 3½ dozen cookies

Ingredients

 * 1 cup sliced almonds, divided
 * 1¾ cups all purpose flour
 * 1 tsp baking soda
 * 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
 * 1½ cups powdered sugar
 * 1 egg
 * 2 tsp freshly grated orange peel
 * ½ tsp almond extract
 * 1 cup Hershey's Mini Kisses semi-sweet or milk chocolate baking pieces

Directions

 * 1) Grind ½ cup almonds in food processor or blender.
 * 2) Stir together flour, ground almonds and baking soda; set aside.
 * 3) Beat butter and powdered sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy.
 * 4) Add egg, orange peel and almond extract; beat on low speed until blended.
 * 5) Add flour mixture; beat on low speed until blended.
 * 6) Shape dough into two logs, about 1½ inches in diameter.
 * 7) Refrigerate dough about 15 minutes, if necessary, before shaping.
 * 8) Wrap each roll separately in wax paper or plastic wrap; refrigerate until well chilled, at least two hours.
 * 9) Heat oven to 375 °F.
 * 10) Lightly grease cookie sheets.
 * 11) Slice dough into ½-inch-thick slices.
 * 12) Place on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
 * 13) Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
 * 14) Immediately place 3 baking pieces and 3 almond slices on top of each cookie, pressing down lightly.
 * 15) Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
 * 16) Cool completely.