Kourabiedes (wedding cakes)

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05
  
       Title: Kourabiedes (Wedding Cakes)
  Categories: Cookies
       Yield: 30 servings
  
       1 c  Unsalted butter; room temp
     1/4 c  Sugar
       1    Egg yolk
       2 tb Brandy; or orange juice
   2 1/2 c  All-purpose flour
     1/2 ts Baking powder
     1/2 c  Ground blanched almonds
      30    Wholecloves; if desired
            Powdered sugar
            For sprinkling
  
      Combine butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in egg yolk until mixtrue
   is smooth and light. Beat in brandy or juice. Sift together flour and
   baking powder. Add to egg mixture a little at a time, beating well after
   each addition. Stir in almonds. Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead with
   floured hands until dough is no longer sticky. Preheat oven to 350~. Pinch
   off 1" pieces, shape into balls or crescents.
       If desired insert 1 whole clove in center of each, or use your fingers
   to press 1 or 2 dimples into each cookie. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
   Bake 30-35 minutes or until cookies are pale golden. Cool on baking sheets.
   Sprinkle heavily with powdered sugar while still warm. Cookies are
   extremely fragile. Remove from baking sheets with a spatula. Store in an
   airtight container between sheets of waxed paper. Makes about 30.
  
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