Final Exam Cookies

The second finest cookie known to humankind. These are Land O'Lakes "Buttery Jam Tarts" except with black cherry preserves instead of raspberry, and with finely ground almonds added to the dough.

One batch makes only 12-13 cookies (or one sheet), so make two batches!

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

2/3 cup butter, softened 

1/2 cup sugar 

1/4 cup slivered almonds

1  large egg

2 tablespoons milk 

1 teaspoon almond extract 

1/4 teaspoon baking soda 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/2 cup black cherry preserves

How to make

1. STEP 1
   Heat oven to 350°F.
2. STEP 2
   Use the 1/2 cup of sugar to help grind up the 1/4 cup of almonds. Grind them pretty fine! Combine all ingredients except preserves in large bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
3. STEP 3
   Roll out dough on well-floured surface, one-half at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8-inch (or 1/6-inch if using rolling disc) thickness. Cut with 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter. 
   
   It may be helpful to roll the dough out on thin plastic cutting boards covered with a layer of plastic wrap, so that they can be placed into the fridge for several minutes at a time to regain firmness. This helps in transferring them to the baking sheet, and helps in placing the fragile tops onto the bottom part of the cookie.
4. STEP 4
   Place half of cookies, 2 inches apart, onto greased cookie sheets; place 1 teaspoon preserves in center of each cookie. Make cut-out with very small cookie cutter in tops of remaining cookies. Place on top of preserves; press edges together with fork. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake 12-15 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned.