Iraqi Cardamom Cookies (Hadgi Badah)

Ingredients

• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/3 cup Sugar
• 4 lrg eggs
• 2 cup Ground blanched almonds, about 10 oz.
• rose water, optional
• 6 doz whole almonds, approximately

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease several large baking sheets.
2. Sift together the flour, cardamom, salt, and baking powder. Beat the Sugar and eggs until light and creamy. Stir in the flour mixture, then the ground almonds.
3. Form the dough into 1-inch balls, moistening your hands with rose water, if desired. Place on the prepared baking sheets and flatten slightly. Press a whole almond into the center of each cookie.
4. Bake until lightly browned about 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
5. Makes about 72 cookies.