Christmas Cinnamon Stars

Ingredients:

2 cups (about 2/3 lb.) unblanched almonds, finely chopped
3 egg whites
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tsp grated lemon peel
3/4 tsp cinnamon

Lightly grease and flour two cookie sheets.  Shake off excess flour. and set aside.

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks are formed. and gradually add 1 confectioners' sugar.  Beat egg white/sugar mixture for 5 min. with an electric mixer on medium speed.  Blend in lemon peel and cinnamon.  Set aside 1/2 cup of the meringue mixture.

Fold almonds into remaining meringue mixture.  Gently pat or roll out 3/8 in. thick on board sprinkled with confectioners' sugar.  Lightly sprinkle the top of the dough with more confectioners' sugar.  cut out stars with a star-shape cookie cutter dipped in confectioners' sugar.  Carefully place stars on cookie sheets.  Drop 1/2 tsp of the reserved meringue onto each cookie, drawing meringue out onto each point of the star.  Bake at 325°F about 20 min.  Immediately remove cookies from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

Makes about 3 dz. cookies.