Almond strips

Ingredients

COOKIE

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups cold butter

5 to 6 tablespoons cold water

FILLING

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 (7- to 8-ounce) can or tube almond paste

1 large egg (white only)

GLAZE

1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 to 3 tablespoons half & half

DECORATIONS

Decorator sugar, if desired

How to make

1. STEP 1
   Combine flour, sugar and salt in bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in enough water until flour is just moistened.
2. STEP 2
   Shape dough into ball; divide into fourths. Flatten each slightly; wrap each in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
3. STEP 3
   Heat oven to 375°F.
4. STEP 4
   Roll out dough, one-fourth at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), on lightly floured surface to 12x8-inch rectangle. Cut into 4 (8x3)-inch strips. Place strips onto ungreased cookie sheets.
5. STEP 5
   Combine all filling ingredients in bowl with fork until well mixed. Shape tablespoonfuls of filling into small logs; place down center of each strip. Moisten edges of strips with water. Fold pastry over filling; press edges together with fork. Prick tops in several places. Bake 14-17 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 2-3 minutes on cookie sheets; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling.
6. STEP 6
   Combine powdered sugar, almond extract and enough milk for desired glazing consistency. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookie strips. Sprinkle with decorator sugar, if desired. Cut strips into 2-inch lengths.