Almond Jelly Cookies

Makes 5 dozens

• 1½ cups butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1½ cups ground almonds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup jelly or jam of your choice

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar ; add almonds and vanilla, mix well.
2. Combine flour and salt ; gradually add to the creamed mixture.
3. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out half of the dough to 1/8-in. thickness ; cut with a 2-in. round cookie cutter.
5. Repeat with remaining dough, using a 2-in. doughnut cutter so the center is cut out of each cookie.
6. Place 1-in. apart on ungreased baking sheets ; bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
7. Remove to a wire racks to cool ; spread ½ teaspoon jelly over the bottom of the solid cookies and place cookies with cutout center over jelly.

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