Almond Butter Sticks

I can safely say that these Almond Butter Sticks are one of the best cookies I had in 2015. Thanks to Tricia from Saving Dessert.

When I first saw these cookies, I was mesmerized by how beautiful they looked, and wondered, if they looked this gorgeous then how delicious they would taste.

It was no surprise these cookies tasted amazing. These cookies are not only elegant, melt in your mouth, buttery, but addictive too. Now, I’m not going to share details but my family loved these cookies so much, I had to keep looking for the container that had them in different parts of the house (I’m not kidding)!

Big thanks to Tricia for making my family happy and for sharing a wonderful recipe with everyone.

Please pay Tricia’s blog a visit. She bakes magic!

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Almond Butter Sticks

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

55 mins

 

Almond Butter Sticks, amazingly delicious, melt in your mouth and above all looks elegant.

Course: Dessert

Servings: 28

Ingredients

• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons almond extract - I used vanilla
• ½ cup unsalted butter plus 1 tablespoon (divided)
• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 egg separated (white is reserved for glazing)
• ⅓ cup sliced almonds
• 1 teaspoon coarse sugar for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
3. In a small bowl combine the sugar and almond extract; cover and set aside.
4. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder.
5. In a large mixing bowl combine 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) butter and cream cheese. Beat on low until blended. Add the egg yolk and blend until smooth. Add half the flour mixture and beat on low until combined. Add the remaining dough and blend just until the dough starts to come together.
6. Transfer the dough to a floured work surface. Knead by hand about 25 strokes until the dough is pliable. Roll or press into a 12x12 inch square. Spread with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.
7. Cut the dough in half and place one half on the prepared cookie sheet, butter side up.
8. Spoon the sugar mixture to within ½-inch of the dough edges all the way around. Place the remaining dough half, butter side down, over the sugar. Press the edges tightly to seal.
9. Brush the dough with a lightly beaten egg white. Sprinkle with almonds and coarse sugar.
10. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. It's best removed from the oven when you think it needs one or two more minutes.
11. Cool at least 30 minutes.
12. Cut the pastry in half lengthwise and then into ½ to 1 inch strips crosswise.
13. Store in an airtight container.