Almond biscuits

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp almond essence
Blanched almonds for decoration
Beat egg for glazing

Preparation:

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl.
Cream the margarine (or butter) and sugar together until light, white and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and almond essence.
Stir in the sifted dry ingredients to make a stiff dough.
Form the mixture into balls about 1 – 1.5 inch diameter and place these on a greased baking tray.
Place half an almond (split lengthways) on each ball and press to flatten slightly.
Brush with beaten egg.
Bake in a moderate oven (350 deg F / 180 deg C) for 20 minutes or until golden.
Cool on a wire rack.