Ingredients
1 cup butter
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup blanched almonds, cut in half lengthwise

Directions
Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat, then continue to heat until the butter has turned golden brown. Remove the pan from the heat and slowly pour the melted butter into a large mixing bowl, leaving any large brown particles in the skillet by using a strainer. Refrigerate the butter in the bowl until set.

Grease and flour 2 or 3 baking sheets. Sift the flour with the baking powder. Add the sugar and vanilla to the butter and beat until very light and fluffy. Add the flour mixture a little bit at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Shape teaspoonfuls of the dough into small balls and place on the prepared baking sheets. Wedge an almond half into the top of each cookie. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the nut is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely before removing from the baking sheets. Makes about 80 cookies.