Cherry Almond Cups

Cherry Almond Cups

Ingredients

• Dough:
• 1 C. butter
• 1/2 C. sugar
• 1 t. almond extract
• 1 egg
• 2 C. flour
• 1/4 t. salt

• Filling:

• 1/2 C. almond paste
• 1/4 C. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 C. almonds sliced
• 24 maraschino cherries halved

Instructions

1. For dough - Cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and almond extract. Mix well. Beat in flour and salt. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. For filling - In a small bowl microwave almond paste for 15 - 20 seconds. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the egg and mix it well.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F.
4. To Assemble:
5. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Divide each of those pieces into 12 pieces. Roll into a ball and place 1 ball in each of 48 ungreased miniature muffin cups. Press in bottom and up sides of each cup.
6. Put 1/2 teaspoon of filling into each cup. Sprinkle with several almond slices. Top with a cherry half on each.
7. Bake for 17 - 20 minutes. Centers should puff and edges should be a light golden brown. Cool in pans for 5 minutes. With the tip of a knife lift cookies from cups.