Mamma's Christmas Cookies

Submitted by: Sandra Twohie
(Mamma is Silvia Santini DePaoli, 1902-1991)

  • 1/2 lb butter*
  • 3/4 lb sugar (1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 lb flour (3 1/2 cups)
  • 1/4 lb almonds, ground (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
  • Lemon rind (to a double recipe I use 3 lemons)
  • *add a bit of salt if the butter is unsalted

On board or table put flour, sugar, ground almonds, grated lemon rind and cinnamon; mix well. Then make an indentation and add in it the eggs and previously cut up or shredded butter. Work with your hands (whew) and when all is incorporated into an homogeneous soft ball, wrap it in wax paper and put in the refrigerator overnight. Later take a section of the ball and roll out to about 1/4 inch thickness; stamp out cookies, put on sheets and bake at 325 F. (Old recipe said 350 F but Sandra uses 325 F for about 10-12 minutes till cookies are slightly browned on edges and underneath.) Cool well and store in tins, etc., until needed. Will keep well for weeks. Will freeze also. Sitting for a few days or week will improve flavor! (Use regular flour in recipe and put some flour on board to ease rolling and prevent sticking. As my father advised, better double the recipe so you'll have enough!)


This recipe was graciously submitted by one of our members to share with the club. It is submitted as is, and has not been pretested except by the experience of the submitter. It has been served at one time or another at one of our Reston Garden Club events and found to be delicious. We hope you enjoy it.

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