Frosted Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

Frosted Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup flour

½ cup ground almonds

½ tea-spoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

2 tablespoons shortening

¼ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup light brown sugar, packed

1 large egg

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon almond flavored liqueur, divided

1 teaspoon almond extract

¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips

¼ cup almonds, coarsely chopped

3 cups powdered sugar

3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease two baking sheets.

In a mixing bowl combine the flour, almonds, baking soda and salt.

In the bowl of your mixer beat the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar at medium speed until smooth. Beat in the egg, 1 tablespoon of the liqueur and the almond ex-tract.

Gradually stir in the dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips. Set aside.

To make the icing, beat together the powdered sugar, cream cheese and remaining liqueur at medium speed until smooth.

Drop cookie dough by teaspoonfuls 1¨ inches apart onto the prepared pans. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. (Check often to make sure they do not burn.)

Using a pastry brush, brush each warm cookie with icing. Cool the cookies completely and brush again with icing.

Makes 2 dozen.