NORWEGIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES

1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cream
2/3 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and spices together; set aside.

Cream butter with extract. Add sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy. Add dry ingredients alternately with cream, mixing after each addition. Stir in almonds. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls; place 1-inch apart (cookies will spread) on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Store in an air tight tin.

Makes about six dozen cookies

From: Reba in FL