Almond Tea Cookies

1 pound (4 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 to 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup blanched sliced almonds - process in food processor until fine
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup powdered sugar

Yield: About 4 dozen cookies


Preheat oven to 250°F.

In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine butter, sugar, vanilla extract and chopped almonds. Fold in the flour – making the dough dense enough to handle with your hands. Sometimes it will take more flour, so start with 3 1/2 cups and add flour as necessary.

Roll spoonfuls of the dough into balls about the size of a small walnut and arrange them on a cookie sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, until the cookies are no longer doughy and are cooked through.

Remove the cookies from the oven and, while still hot, roll and toss around in a bowl with the powdered sugar. Once coated, allow to cool.