Almond Cherry Bites

By maredan

Ingredients

• 1/3 * 1/3 cup(s) whole almonds
• 1/3 * 1/3 cup(s) sugar
• 2/3 * 2/3 cup(s) coarsely chopped dried cherries
• 2/3 * 2/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 2 * 2 tablespoon(s) canola oil
• 1 * 1 large egg white
• 1/4 * 1/4 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• 1/4 * 1/4 teaspoon(s) almond extract
• 2 * 2 tablespoon(s) chocolate chips or finely chopped dark and/or white chocolate, for decoration (optional)

Details

Servings 15

Preparation

Step 1

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grind almonds and sugar in a food processor to desired texture: a coarser texture will give you small almond pieces in the cookie; a fine grind will give great almond flavor without any crunch from the almonds. (Be careful to not overgrind: you will get almond paste.) Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add cherries and flour; mix to combine.
3. Add oil, egg white, and vanilla and almond extracts; mix with a wooden spoon until well incorporated.
4. Shape the dough into walnut-size balls with your hands or a small cookie scoop (about 1 rounded tablespoon each) and place 1 1/2 inches apart on a large, ungreased baking sheet.
5. Bake until the bottoms are golden (the top will stay white), 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Melt chocolate (see Tips & Techniques) and drizzle or pipe onto each cooled cookie, if desired. Let stand until the chocolate sets.