I find that strawberry jam has the best contrast with the almonds but raspberry or apricot is fine. A little confectioners sugar sprinkled over the top or a drizzle of melted chocolate adds even more flavor and drama!
- 1 cup almonds, toasted to light brown
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- fruit jam of your choice, enough to sandwich between two cookies
Whisk together flour and salt in a mixing bowl and set aside. In your food processor, add nuts and 2 tablespoons of the flour. Pluse until nuts are finely ground. Add the nut mixture to the flour mixture and blend. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until blended. Add the flour/nut mixture slowly until thoroughly mixed into a smooth dough.
Chill dough and then roll out into approx. 1/4" thick or a little thinner. Using your favorite heart cutter (I have several) cut two hearts for each cookie. Using a tiny heart shaped cutter, cut a heart in the middle of the second cookie. Save these tiny hearts and bake for the dolls in your house!
Bake cookies for 12-16 minutes at 350 degrees or until just golden. Cool the cookies completely before sandwiching together with fresh jam.