almond cookies

Holiday season and its cookie time !! You can find bitter almond flavoured cookies in every supermarket here. I love the flavour that is imparted, slightly bitter n sweet. Perfect cookies to share with family and friends.Mandeln {as its called in German} or Almonds are found in abundance here. It is used in a lot of baked goodies like, Almond cakes, Almond cookies, Roasted Almonds, Sugar coated Almonds, Marzipan, sliced Almonds, blanched Almonds , powdered Almonds etc.......They taste really sweet n good and in some store you get bitter almonds as well.I have been making cookies for a long time now. And this recipe is one of my favourites. Its simple and deliciously crunchy. I have made these 2-3 times and its never let me down. It took me around 1.5 hrs to make the cookies about {40 of them} and the icing part took me around 2 hrs. So I was totally occupied for half a day. whew !! I had left a couple of cookies undecorated , so that my son can try his bit in decoration. He wanted to join cake decorating class at school , because he can decorate the cupcake and eat it as well ! Smart !! So he was really excited to do this project, of course making mess all around. But, it was worth the effort. He ate one immediately and reserved one for school. Before making them , keep everything at an arm's distance. Its easier that way to finish up everything.IngredientsMakes about 40 cookiesCookies1 cup All purpose flour1/3 cup loosely packed powdered Brown Sugar43 gms or  5 tablespoons of Butterpinch of Salt1/2 teaspoon of Baking powder5-6 drops of Bitter Almond essenceMilk as requiredIcing1 cup of Powdered sugar/Icing sugar2-3 drops of Bitter Almond essence1 1/2 tablespoons of Cornflour4 colours of your choiceWaterMethodCookies

1. In a big bowl, beat sugar and butter till fluffy.
2. Sieve flour, baking powder and salt .
3. Add the flour and essence to the butter and mix it gently.
4. Add one tablespoon of milk at a time and make a dough.
5. Do not add more milk , else it will become sticky.
6. Dust a surface with some flour and roll the dough into 1/4th inch thick.
7. Using a cookie cutter shape the cookies. Dip the cookie cutter in the flour. The dough will not stick to the cutter.
8. Gently transfer the cookies on a baking sheet.
9. Finish up the dough in similar fashion. If the dough becomes a bit tough , then add a few drops of milk and mix.
10. If you do not want to ice the cookies , then sprinkle some chopped almonds on top.
11. Tap the almonds on the cookies so that it does not come off after baking.
12. Pre heat your oven to 175 c.
13. Bake the cookies for about 15-2o mins , until the edges are browned.
14. At first, they will be a bit soft.  After its cooled down it will become crisp.
15. Cool it completely before icing it.

Icing

1. In a big bowl add the icing sugar , almond essence , cornflour and water (little by little).
2. Stir it into a smooth paste. Do not all more water. When you add colour , the paste will thin down again.
3. Divide the mixture into 4 smaller bowls.
4. Add colour powder or liquid , to get the desired colour.
5. Make 4 paper or plastic cones. I used small disposable covers.
6. Place each cover in a glass and pour the colour.
7. Fasten it using a rubberband.
8. Repeat the same {6-7} for the other cones.
9. Spread some baking sheet or newspapers before starting the colouring. Its easier to clean up the mess.
10. Now snip off the edge of one cone.
11. Wear your creative hat and start making a outline for the cookies.
12. Allow it to dry completely before using the next colour.
13. If you do not want to use the cone method then just flood the colours on the cookies using a spoon {like I have done for the christmas trees}
14. Sprinkle some sugar decorations on the cookies.
15. Allow it to set.
16. Store it in airtight containers at room temperature.
17. Do not overlap the cookies , else the sugar coating will come off here and there.