Catholic Recipe: St. Nicholas Day Initial Cookies

This recipe was in Sunset Magazine years ago. It makes a good chocolate-covered almond cookie which is especially nice if you don't have access to Dutch chocolate letters for St. Nicholas Day. The initials could be made smaller.

DIRECTIONS

With an electric mixer or wooden spoon, beat together until creamy: 1 cup butter or hard margarine 8 oz. almond paste 3/4 cup sugar

Beat in 1 egg.

Gradually mix in 3 cups flour until thoroughly blended.

Shape dough into large initials. Keep dough tightly covered while shaping a few cookies at a time. Bake on ungreased cooky sheet in a 325º F. oven for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom. Cool.

CHOCOLATE COATING FOR LETTER COOKIES: In the top of a double boiler, combine: 6 oz. milk or semisweet chocolate pieces 2 tablespoons solid shortening

Place over hot (not boiling) water just until melted.

Arrange cookies on a wire rack with bottom sides up and place rack over a sheet of waxed paper. With a pastry brush or small spatula, brush or spread chocolate over flat bottom side of cookie; chill 10 minutes or until firm, keeping remaining chocolate soft over hot water. Turn cookies over and cover remaining surfaces with chocolate glaze. Let stand at cool room temperature or chill until set. Keep cookies cool until they are served. Makes enough to coat 4–6 large initials.