Holiday Florentines

Festive, orange-scented almond or hazelnut Florentines drizzled with semisweet chocolate.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup almonds or hazelnuts, finely chopped
1/4 pound candied orange peel, finely chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt

Chocolate Icing::
1 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
2 tablespoons cream or water

Cooking Directions:

1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
2. Combine first six ingredients, mixing well. Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2-inches apart, onto prepared baking sheets. Flatten each with a knife dipped in cold water.
3. Bake about 10 minutes or until browned around the edges. Cool, flat side up, on wire racks.
4. Drizzle chocolate icing decoratively over cooled cookies.
5. For Chocolate Icing: Melt chocolate in a double boiler; add cream or water. Stir until smooth.

Makes 24 cookies.