Christmas and the Cherry Crowns
From the kitchen of rsjcjj (Northpole.com)
This recipe has been on northpole.com from the beginning… since 1996! We hope you enjoy this classic North Pole recipe.
Ingredients for the Cherry Crowns
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 package (3 ounce) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg, separated
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup blanched almonds, finely ground
30 red candied cherry halves
Method
1.When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed of an electric mixer, until creamy
3.Gradually add sugar beating well. Add egg yolk and almond extract, mixing well
4.Gradually stir in flour
5.Cover and chill 1 hour
6.Shape dough into 1-inch balls
7.Roll balls in lightly beaten egg white, and then in almonds
8.Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets
9.Press a cherry half in center of each ball
10.Bake for 15 minutes
11.Remove to wire racks to cool
