Christmas cookies lillian's almond cookies

this is one of the christmas cookies i remember watching my norwegian mother in law lillian bake....the recipe is hers.   it is simple but wonderfully delicious.  it took a little trial and error on my part since my copy of the recipe was kind of cryptic....i have made some mistakes.....any way this version works.   when i bring mixed platters of cookies to work or to friends inevitably these are the cookies that people ask about.  i have done some research and this combination of ingredients is rare among the various norwegian traditional cookies you can find.  they are crisp...buttery...nutty....goodness and fairly easy!

recipe after the jump

lillian's almond cookies

8 ounces of butter, softened

1 1/4 cup sugar

5 ounces heavy cream

2/3 cup cornstarch

1 3/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

10 ounces chopped slivered almonds

in medium bowl mix together flour and cornstarch set aside.  in the  bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.   sift in 1/2 of the flour mixture and mix.  then add the cream, almonds, vanilla and the rest of the flour.

chill dough for an hour  before baking

take the chilled dough and scoop teaspoonfuls onto lightly buttered parchment paper

preheat the oven to 375 and bake...start checking at 10 minutes...you want the cookies to be done but not brown anywhere but the very edges.  cool on the cookie sheet for 1minute then care fully transfer to cooling racks. cool completely before putting in air tight containers.  these cookies are so delicious..your family will love them.  thanks lillian...god jul.