Citrus Almond Cookies

Name: Citrus Almond Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 dozen.
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 4 cups unblanched almonds, toasted; 1 cup sugar; 5 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each), melted; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 4 teaspoons grated orange zest; 1 tablespoon orange juice; 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon lemon extract; FROSTING:; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 to 4 teaspoons water

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min./batch + cooling YIELD: 6 dozen.

These frosted goodies were a "must" every Christmas in my mother's family. I think the blend of milk chocolate, toasted almonds, lemon and orange is cookie perfection.

Ingredients

4 cups unblanched almonds, toasted
1 cup sugar
5 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each), melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 large eggs, room temperature
4 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
FROSTING:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 4 teaspoons water

Directions

1. Place almonds in a food processor; cover and process until finely chopped. In a large bowl, combine the almonds, sugar, chocolate and cinnamon; set aside.
2. In a small bowl, beat the eggs, orange zest, orange juice, lemon zest and extracts until combined. Gradually add to almond mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
3. Preheat oven to 325°. Roll into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until bottoms are lightly browned, 12-15 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, extracts and enough water to achieve desired consistency. Spread or drizzle over cooled cookies. Store cookies in airtight containers.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 83 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.