Mrs. Fields & iVillage 30th Anniversary Cookie Contest (682 photos)

Tasty Nut Doubloons

TASTY NUT DOUBLOONS

2 cups of whole almonds
4 oz of unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp pure almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp double acting baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp of pure ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease cookie sheets. Process almonds to medium grind. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and almond and vanilla flavors. Measure flour, add baking powder, salt,pepper and cinnamon. Add flour mixture and nuts to batter. Mix thoroughly. Drop by tablespoons to greased sheets, cook at 350F oven for 17 to 20 minutes (15 min in convection). Cool,then put on rack to finish cooling thoroughly. Store in air tight container for up to 3 weeks. Makes 3-4 dozen.

I love to bake, and am known as the "cake lady" in my circles. Learned to invent during depression and WWII due to paucity of ingredients. My mother from Italy gave me some recipes that are spicy and flavorful. This cookie is my own invention and has double the flavor and healthful ingredients than most cookies. The eggs have protein, so do the nuts. The cinnamon brings blood sugar and chlolesterol down. This cookie stays with you, is a good snack with coffee and tea, and even wine. They are easy to make and other nuts and flavors can be substituted, if desired. Enjoy this wholesome treat!