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.