Danish Cookie Rings (Vanille Kranse)

Scandigirl's Note:

If you are of Danish background you'll long for this traditional Christmas cookie. It is not Christmas in our house without Vanille Kranse served...

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 5 dozen

• ½ cup blanched almond
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter , cut into small pieces
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 8 candied red cherries
• 16 green glazed cherries

Directions:

1. Grease cookie sheets; set aside.
2. Process almonds in food processor until ground, but not pasty.
3. Place almonds, flour, sugar and baking powder in a large bowl.
4. Cut butter into flour mixture with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture is crumbly.
5. Beat egg, milk and vanilla in a small bowl with a fork until well blended.
6. Add egg mixture to flour mixture; stir until soft dough forms.
7. Spoon dough into a pastry bag fitted with medium star tip.
8. Pipe 3-inch rings 2-inches apart on prepared cookie sheet.
9. Refrigerate rings 15 minutes or until firm.
10. Preheat oven to 375°F.
11. Cut each cherry in half. Cut each red cherry half into quarters; cut each green cherry half into 4 slivers.
12. Press red cherry quarter onto each ring where ends meet.
13. Arrange 2 green cherry slivers on either side of red cherry to form leaves.
14. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden.
15. Remove cookies to wire racks; cool completely.
16. Store tightly covered at room temperature or freeze up to 3 months.