* firmly packed ** (2 1/2 - 3 cups)

These cookies go well with after dinner coffee or tea.

In a bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt and baking soda and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter. Add the coffee, almond extract, granulated and brown sugars and beat well. Add the eggs one at a time until smooth after each addition. On low speed gradually add the sifted dry ingredients, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula and beating only until the mixture is smooth. Gently mix in the almonds.

Spread out two pieces of wax paper. Place large spoonfuls of the dough lengthwise on each piece of paper to form heavy strips about 10-11 inches long. Fold the long sides of the paper p against the dough and, pressing against the paper with your hands, shape each strip of dough into a smooth oblong 12 inches long, 3 inches wide, and about 1 inch thick. Wrap the dough in the wax paper.

Slide a cookie sheet under both packages of dough and transfer them to the freezer or refrigerator for several hours or overnight. This slices best when dough is frozen solid.

Preheat oven to 375ø. Unwrap one roll of dough at a time. Place dough on a cutting board. With a very sharp knife cut the dough into 1/4-inch slices and place them 1 to 1 1/2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake the cookies for about 10-12 minutes at 375ø. The cookies are done when they are slightly colored and spring back when lightly pressed with a fingertip.

The American Cooking Guild), Fairview, Nj.

Randy Shearer