Here are some tasty little almond bonbons for you to bake up for a special occasion. Enjoy!

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 package almond paste (7- or 8-ounce size)
Almond Glaze (recipe follows)
Sliced almonds, toasted, if desired (see Notes)

Heat oven to 375o. Beat flour, butter, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Cut almond paste into 1/2-inch slices; cut each slice into fourths.

Shape 1-inch ball of dough around each piece of almond paste. Gently
roll to form ball. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set and bottom is golden brown.

Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Dip tops of cookies into Almond Glaze. Garnish with sliced almonds.

Almond Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon Watkins almond extract
4 – 5 teaspoons milk

Mix all ingredients until smooth and spreadable.

This is my favorite shortbread cookies recipe, it makes delightful, rich butter caramel cookies that melt in your mouth. They are perfect for Christmas or any time of the year. I like to decorate them with half a glace cherry just like my Mom did, but you can leave them plain or use colored sugar or sprinkles.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Watkins caramel extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
optional decorations – candied or glace cherries, colored sugar, sprinkles

Directions: Continue reading Shortbread Cookies Recipe →

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a few holiday cookies to enjoy with your coffee, tea or cocoa and these yummy spice cookies fit the bill. They are mostly sweetened with honey and molasses which is better for you than refined white sugar and they contain whole wheat flour for more added goodness.

Ingredients:

3/4 Cup Sugar
2/3 Cup Butter or 1/3 cup butter & 1/3 cup grapeseed oil
1/4 Cup Orange Juice
1/2 Cup Honey
1/2 Cup Dark Molasses
2 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
2 3/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
2 teas. Watkins Ginger
1 teas. Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cloves
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Allspice

Directions: Continue reading Christmas Spice Cookies →