Chinese Almond Cookies - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. shortening
1 egg, beaten
2 tsp. almond extract
red food coloring or blanched almonds

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0.
Sift flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Cut shortening into dry ingredients.
Stir in egg and flavoring; knead until soft dough is formed.
(The more you knead, the better.)
Shape into balls about walnut-size.
Place on ungreased baking sheet and flatten slightly with hand.
Dip blunt end of chopstick into red coloring; make a dent about 1/4-inch deep in center of cookies, or press an almond into the center.
Bake for 12 minutes.
Makes 6 dozen.