Light and Delicious Cookie for the Holidays

Almond-Orange-Cardamom Cookies (adapted from http://www.besthealthmag.ca/recipe/almond-orange-cardamom-cookies)

My mom made these nutty cookies that are packed with heart-healthy almonds and delicately flavoured with orange and cardamom (which she says is quite expensive by the way- but they were our favourites this season)- check tomorrow for the other cookie recipe on this plate.

Ingredients:

1 cup (250 mL) slivered almonds

1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons (10 mL) ground cardamom

1/4 (2 mL) teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, softened

1/3 cup (90 mL) powdered sugar

1 egg yolk

2 teaspoons (10 mL) grated orange zest

1/2 teaspoon (3 mL) almond extract

28 whole natural almonds

Directions:

Spread almonds onto an ungreased baking pan. Place in a 350ºF oven and bake about 7 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant; stir once or twice to ensure even browning.

Place slivered almonds in a food processor and process until finely ground. Set aside. Stir together flour, cardamom and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

Place the butter in a medium bowl and beat at medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in the egg yolk, orange zest and almond extract. Add flour mixture and ground almonds and beat at low speed just until blended. Cover and chill.

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Shape tablespoonfuls of dough into balls; place 1-inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Press a whole natural almond in the centre of each ball. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the underside is lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Makes 28 servings.

Nutritional information PER SERVING

80 calories

6 g total fat

<1 g fibre

6 g carbohydrate

2 g protein