Almond Shortbread Cookies (Mantecaditos)

Name: Almond Shortbread Cookies (Mantecaditos)
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H20M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H45M0.000S
Yield: 3 1/3 dozen or 20 (2 cookie) servings
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups flour; 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground; 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened; 1/4 cup vegetable shortening; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract; 5 maraschino cherries, each cut into 8 pieces; 1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Almond Extract

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Level: Easy
Total: 45 min

Prep: 25 min
Cook: 20 min

Yield: 3 1/3 dozen or 20 (2 cookie) servings

These simple, but heavenly, almond butter cookies are traditional Puerto Rican Christmas cookies - they are as common and popular as chocolate chip cookies are in the States. They make wonderful Christmas gifts that everyone will enjoy!

Level: Easy
Total: 45 min

Prep: 25 min
Cook: 20 min

Yield: 3 1/3 dozen or 20 (2 cookie) servings

Ingredients

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2 1/4 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract

5 maraschino cherries, each cut into 8 pieces

1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Almond Extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour and nutmeg in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat butter, shortening, sugar and extracts in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually stir in flour mixture until well mixed. Dough should be slightly moist. If dough looks dry, sprinkle with water and work into dough. If dough is sticky, sprinkle with additional flour.
2. Spoon dough by teaspoons and shape into balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball with palm of hand. Press a cherry piece in the center of each cookie.
3. Bake 20 minutes or until golden. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.