Recipe: Almond sweeties

My 98-year-old mother was a wonderful baker, and this was one of her specialties.

— Laurel Gillis, Burbank

PHOTOS: Holiday Cookie Bake-off winning cookies and bakers

Almond sweeties

Total time: 45 minutes

Servings: 12 to 18

Note: Adapted from Laurel Gillis.

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided

1 egg, separated

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups (8.5 ounces) flour

1 cup sliced almonds

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar. Beat in the almond extract and egg yolk. Add the flour and mix thoroughly.

3. Spread the dough evenly into a 9-by-12-inch baking pan.

4. Beat the egg white until frothy, then brush over the dough. Spread the almonds over the top.

5. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the almonds.

6. Bake until golden brown on the edges, about 25 minutes. Remove and cool on a rack, then cut into squares.

Each of 18 servings: 219 calories; 3 grams protein; 23 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 13 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 37 mg cholesterol; 12 grams sugar; 6 mg sodium.