12 Sweets of Christmas: #3 - Mandel Kakker (Swedish Almond Butter Cookie Recipe)

Quite a few years ago, and I really can't remember when, I came up with the crazy idea of not just making one or two different kinds of cookies or candies to give away during the Christmas season, but to make 12 different varieties, now known as the "12 Sweets of Christmas".  Once Thanksgiving had ended and the tree had been put up I begin the monumental task of mixing, baking, dipping and wrapping up the 12 goodies into tins to give as gifts to family and friends.  Sometimes I wonder what I have gotten myself into, but everyone seems to love my tins packed full of goodies and I think I would have a revolt on my hands if I failed to follow through on my yearly tradition.  

This year I figured I would share all my recipes and photos of each of the sweets and here is #3.

#3 Mandel Kakor - (Swedish Almond Butter Cookies)

Each year when I begin my Christmas baking I always look for one recipe to add.  Many years ago when I still read magazines and didn't look for recipes on-line I came across this recipe in Relish Magazine and knew it would not disappoint.  (By the way you can now find the recipe at relish.com.)  

Due to my frugal nature I made two changes to the recipe:  I use much less almond extract and sprinkle regular sugar instead of pearl sugar

  

Mandel Kakor (Swedish Almond Butter Cookies)

1 C Butter, room temp

1 C Sugar

-beat until light and fluffy

3 C Flour

1 T Baking Powder

½ t salt (omit if using salted butter)

-add and mix

2 oz Almond Extract (I use less - about 1/2 oz.)

3 T Heavy Cream (I usually use milk)

-add and mix

Divide the dough into 4 portions and in a separate bowl beat 1 egg.

Flatten the dough into 6" circles.

Brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake 20 minutes at 350.  Remove from the oven and reduce the temp to 300.  

Cut the cookies into strips with a pizza cutter.  

I then place the cookies on their sides and return them to the oven for 10 more minutes of baking.  Because some of the cookies are smaller than others I remove the done ones and return the rest to the oven to continue baking.

And here are the golden, buttery, mouthwatering cookies.  So delicious and always a favorite.