Almond Buttercups

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 36
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup almond paste
• colored crystal sugar or candied cherries or sliced almonds

Recipe

• 1 heat oven to 350°f.
• 2 in a large bowl, combine crust ingredients. chill 5-10 minutes for easier handling.
• 3 shape a small piece of dough into a ball and placed in an ungreased miniature cupcake pan. coat a wooden "pusher" with flour; press into dough, forcing the dough up the sides of the mini cupcake pan (forming a shell). you can also use your fingers to press the dough into a shell in the muffin cup.
• 4 prepare filling: beat eggs until foamy. gradually add sugar and almond extract, beating until thick and ivory colored. blend in almond paste, mixing well.
• 5 fill each crust with 1 teaspoon filling. top with colored sugar, almond slices, or candied cherries.
• 6 bake 20-25 minutes until they are a very light golden brown. cool 5 minutes then remove to wire rack.