Russian Tea Cakes (Mexican Wedding Cakes)

1 cup toasted almonds ¼ cup granulated sugar 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature ½ cup confectioners’ sugar, plus 1 cup for dredging 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour 1½ teaspoons sea salt ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Calories 140 (54% from fat) • carb. 14g • pro. 2g • fat 9g • sat. fat 4g • chol. 15mg • sod. 105mg • calc. 14mg • fiber 1g

In the bowl of a Cuisinart Food Processor, add the almonds. Pulse until coarsely ground. Remove half of the almonds, reserve. Add the granulated sugar to the remaining almonds in the work bowl of the food processor. Pulse until finely ground. Reserve. In the bowl of the Cuisinart Hand Stand Mixer, fitted with the flat beaters, add the butter. Mix on Speed 3 until creamy. With the mixer running, add the almond/sugar mixture, confectioners sugar and vanilla; continue to mix, rising to speed 4, until light and creamy, about 1 minute. Reduce to Speed 1 and add the dry ingredients and reserved coarse almonds. Mix until completely combined. Divide the dough in half. Wrap each half in plastic wrap and chill until firm (about 2 hours, or overnight). Preheat oven to 350°F. Once chilled, cut each dough into 60 even pieces. Roll each one into a smooth ball. Place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Note: these cookies do not spread a lot so they need no more than 1-inch space in between each one. Bake in preheated oven until still soft to the touch, but where the bottom edges are just starting to brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for about 2 minutes, and then roll in confectioners’ sugar.