Almond Crunch Cookies

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 F.

In a medium bowl blend butter and sugar with an electric mixer until mixture forms a grainy paste.

Scrape down sides of bowl, then add egg and almond extract.

Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Add the ground almonds and flour, and blend at low speed just until combined.

Form dough into 1½ in balls and roll in sliced almonds, coating each ball thoroughly.

Place balls on ungreased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until cookies are slightly brown along edges.

Immediately transfer cookies to a cool surface cover with waxed paper.

TO MAKE CHOCOLATE GLAZE: Scald cream in a small saucepan then remove from heat.

Stir in chocolate chips and corn syrup; cover and let stand for 15 minutes.

With small wire whisk or wooden spoon, gently mix glaze until smooth, being careful not to create bubbles in the chocolate.

When cookies are completely cool, drizzle patterns on them with the warm chocolate glaze, or dip half of each cookies into the glaze.

Refrigerate the cookies on waxed paper until the glaze has set--about 10 minutes.