Ghraibe

1 pound Land O' Lakes butter, clarified

2 cups sifted powdered sugar

4 cups sifted flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

Slivered almonds or pine nuts, optional

Pour clarified butter in glass mixing bowl and let cool overnight. With wooden spoon, stir powdered sugar into butter. Turn mixture onto a clean, dry surface. Knead flour into mixture until smooth (7 to 10 minutes) and dough does not stick to work surface. Form and ball and cut into four sections.

Working with one section at a time, add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and knead. Roll dough into 1-inch diameter rope shape. Cut at 11/2-inch intervals to form cookies. Or roll into 1/2-inch diameter rope, 5 inches long. Form into wreath shape. Be careful that there are no air pockets in the center of the cookies. A slivered almond or pine nut may be pressed into top center of cookie.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 275 degrees for 12 minutes. Do not brown. Let cookies cool on pan for several hours before removing.

Yield: 4 dozen

Source: Cherrefe Kadri