Southern Dutch Squares

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 teaspoon anise extract or 1/2 tsp. anise seeds, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose fl our
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon or orange rind
• 1/4 cup finely chopped blanched almonds
• 1 (6-oz.) can whole natural almonds
• Granulated sugar

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add brown sugar, beating well. Add egg, anise extract, and almond extract, beating well.
2. Combine flour and next 8 ingredients; stir well. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in chopped almonds.
3. Divide dough in half. Shape 1 portion into a ball; knead 3 or 4 times until smooth. Roll dough into a 9-inch square on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cut dough into 36 (1 1/2-inch) squares. Press a whole almond into center of each square. Repeat procedure with remaining dough.
4. Bake at 325u0b0 for 25 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheet, and sprinkle with sugar while warm; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Break cookies apart, and store in airtight containers.

butter, brown sugar, egg, anise, almond, allpurpose, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, cocoa, pepper, lemon, blanched almonds, natural almonds, sugar

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/southern-dutch-squares (may not work)