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Walnut-Topped Spice Cookies

3.3

(11)

"When my ancestors left Spain and settled on the Greek island of Rhodes five hundred years ago, they brought with them their Sephardic culture," writes Rebecca Levy. "Likewise, when I fled Greece during World War II and eventually relocated to Los Angeles, I brought with me the traditions of my home. A lot of these traditions have to do with food, and since sharing my heritage has always been important to me, I often make favorites from my homeland for friends and family."

These dainty cookies have a sandy texture.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 18 cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
18 (about) walnut halves
1 egg, beaten to blend (for glaze)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheet with foil. Beat first 7 ingredients in large bowl to blend. Mix in flour. Shape dough into walnut-size balls; arrange 1 inch apart on prepared sheet. Top each with 1 walnut half. Press walnuts to adhere to dough and to flatten balls slightly. Brush generously with glaze.

    Step 2

    Bake cookies until cooked through and light brown, about 20 minutes. Cool on sheet. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

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