Austrian Nut Cookies

[nverland]

Austrian Nut Cookies
Total Time Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling Makes 10 sandwich cookies

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup finely chopped almonds
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

FROSTING:
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Slivered almonds, optional

Directions

In a bowl, combine flour, chopped almonds and sugar. Mix in butter until dough is just combined. On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a 2-in. round cutter and place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Uncover and bake at 375° for 7-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Spread jam on half of the cookies; top with another cookie.
For frosting, combine chocolate, confectioners' sugar and butter. Spread on tops of cookies. Decorate with slivered almonds.