WOW scale: 10
Skill required: Beginner
2 egg whites
1-1/2 cups blanched almonds, ground
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blanched almonds
1. In large bowl of electric mixer, let egg whites warm to room temperature, about 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Lightly butter cookie sheets.
3. In medium bowl, combine ground almonds with sugar; mix well.
4. Beat egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form when beaters are slowly raised.
5. Using wooden spoon, gently stir almond mixture into beaten egg whites, along with almond and vanilla extracts; mix just until well combined.
6. Drop by slightly rounded teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto prepared cook sheets.
7. Top each with a blanched almond.
8. Bake 20 minutes or until light brown.
9. With spatula, remove to wire rack to cool completely.
10.Store, covered, overnight.
Yield: 2 1/2 - 3 dozen
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