Basic Almond Cookie Dough Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk 7-1/2 cups flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture, adding more flour if necessary. Divide dough into four 2-cup portions. Refrigerate, covered, until needed., Basic Cookie Dough may be used to prepare the following recipes: Crumb-Topped Date Bars, Cherry Surprise Cookies, Chocolate Mallow Cookies or Jelly Sandwich Cookies.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Spread the almonds onto a baking sheet, and toast until the nuts start to turn golden brown and become fragrant, about 45 minutes. Watch the nuts carefully as they bake, they burn quickly. Once toasted, set the nuts aside to cool to room temperature. Finely grind the almonds in a food processor.
• Raise oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Oil a baking sheet with vegetable oil.
• In a bowl, mix together the ground almonds, oat flour, maple syrup, and almond extract. Form the mixture into 6 balls, then flatten the balls into cookies about 1/4 inch thick. Place cookies onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake until crisp and brown around the edges, 12 to 15 minutes; watch them carefully because they burn easily. Remove the cookies carefully, and allow to cool.

Steps:

• 1. Stir flour, almond, sugars and powder. Add butter to crumb, then add egg and vanilla. Turn onto a work surface and knead until smooth. Refrigerate wrapped in plastic, 2 hours. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll half the dough to 1/8" thick between 2 sheets of waxed paper. Cut or shape as desired, leaving unused dough in fridge. Place an inch apart on lightly greased cookie sheets, bake 6-20 min. Cookie is done when firm to the touch and the edges are lightly browned. Store in airtight containers.
• 2. Walnut wreaths: Substitute 1/2 cup ground walnuts for almonds. Roll dough into 7 inch long rope, twist together in twos to form circles. Pinch ends to seal. Press walnuts into alternating sections of each wreath, press in red and green candied cherry pieces to look like bows. Bake 10-12 minutes, cool and sprinkle plain ends with powdered sugar.
• 3. Dutch Chocolate Sandwiches: Roll out dough, cut into 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch rectangles or 3 inch stars. Bake 6-7 minutes, cool. Spread half the cookies with 1 teaspoon of any flavor preserves. Top with remaining cookies. Dip each halfway into melted milk chocolate to coat.