Almond Biscuits

Country : China

Ingredients : 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup margarine or butter 1 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 tsp almond essence Blanched almonds for decoration Beat egg for glazing

Cooking Instructions : Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Cream the margarine (or butter) and sugar together until light, white and fluffy. Beat in the egg and almond essence. Stir in the sifted dry ingredients to make a stiff dough. Form the mixture into balls about 1 - 1.5 inch diameter and place these on a greased baking tray. Place half an almond (split lengthways) on each ball and press to flatten slightly. Brush with beaten egg. Bake in a moderate oven (350 deg F / 180 deg C) for 20 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack. This quantity makes about 45 biscuits.