Recipe: Almond Orange Olive Oil Cookies (using ground almonds)

ALMOND ORANGE OLIVE OIL COOKIES
"Make a delicious tender cookie with olive oil."



1 cup blanched almond slivers (plus additional for garnish)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Argo Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Spice Islands Ground Saigon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Mazola Pure Olive Oil
2 eggs
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange peel
1 teaspoon Spice Islands Pure Vanilla Extract
Coarse sugar (for garnish)

Grind almonds very finely in a food processor. Combine ground almonds with flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl until well blended; set aside.

Beat sugars, oil, eggs, orange peel and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer for 1 minute, until well combined and pale in color. Add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms.

Divide dough in half and shape into two (2-inch diameter) logs. Wrap logs in parchment or waxed paper and freeze for at least 2 hours or up to 1 month.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cut dough into 1/4-inch thick slices and place 1-inch apart on prepared baking sheets. To garnish, sprinkle cookies with coarse sugar and top with almond slivers; lightly press into the surface just prior to baking.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until bottom edges appear light golden brown.

Cool cookies for 1 to 2 minutes on baking sheet and then transfer to cooling rack.

Store in closed container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 weeks.

Makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies
Source: Mazola Oil, ACH Food Companies, Inc.