These were served in the Spring Roll Making Class I had. I make them with butter, but if you want to be traditional, you would use lard instead.

from Max

Makes 20 Cookies

½ cup Butter, softened
½ cup Sugar
1 Egg
¼ tsp. Almond Extract
⅓ cup ground Almonds
1¾ cups Flour
¼ tsp. Baking Soda
Sliced or Whole Almonds
1 to 2 Egg Yolks, beaten

1. Combine butter, sugar, egg and almond extract. Mix in ground almonds, flour and baking soda. Remove from bowl and knead slightly until smooth.
2. Roll dough into 1½” balls and arrange on two cookie sheets sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with parchment paper. Flatten balls with a glass bottom. Lightly dip the glass into flower to keep the dough from sticking.
3. Brush each cookie with egg yolk and press almonds onto the tops. Bake in a 350° oven for 15 to 20 minutes until bottoms are lightly browned.