{sugared jelly cookies}

From a Gooseberry Patch "Simple Joys of Christmas" book.

Sugared Jelly Cookies

2 1/3 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 t salt

1 cup butter

3/4 cup unblanced almonds, grated

1 1/2 t vanilla

1/2 cup jelly

garnish - sugar or confectioners sugar

Sift together flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Blend in almonds and vanilla, mixing w/fingers until mixture forms a ball of dough. Roll dough out to 1/8" thickness on a floured surface; cut with a small cookie cutter. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. While cookies are still hot, turn half of them over and spread the flat side w/jelly. Top jelly with the flat side of a second cookie and sprinkle w/sugar.

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This is a new recipe for me.

I'm not gonna lie.

When I was 3/4 of the way through cutting these out and baking I had a fleeting thought of "these are a PITA". It came and left quickly though!!! :)

Once I tasted one of these, I realized they were worth every minute of effort!! They are a cookie that starts to melt in your mouth...and then you chew and there is the texture of the crunchy almond and the soft, fruity taste of the jelly. {Typing that actually made my mouth water.}

{Note - instead of jelly, I used Smuckers strawberry fruit spread. Also, I had sliced almonds on hand - I placed them in my blender and grated to get consistency necessary.}

Happy holiday baking!!!

Thanks again for stopping by!

hugs, patti