Shelly's Recipe

CHOCOLATE KISSES

Category: Cookies

Kisses
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 2/3 cups flour
1/3 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, sifted
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted almonds

Filling
2 oz semi-sweet chocolate squares
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/3 cup blanched almonds, toasted and finely chopped

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in salt and vanilla. On low speed, beat flour, cocoa and almonds just until blended. Roll tspfuls of dough into 3/4 inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until firm but not browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Filling: In a small heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water, combine chocolate and butter; heat until softened. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. Stir in almonds. Spread about 1 tsp chocolate mixture on bottom of one cookie. Place a second cookie, bottom-side down, on filling; press together lightly. Place on a wire rack until filling is set. Repeat with remaining cookies and filling.