Almond Stars Butter Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup sugar plus 1 1/2 tbsp sugar

1 /2 cup sliced almonds, chopped

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 egg, lightly beaten

In a small bowl, combine nuts and 1 1/2 tbsp sugar. In a large bowl, beat

butter, 1/3 cup sugar, vanilla and salt on medium until creamy and smooth.

On low speed, gradually beat in flour until just blended. Gather into ball;

flatten slightly. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hours.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Turn out dough on lightly floured work surface.

Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into stars, using small 1 3/4 inch to 2 inch

star shaped cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Reroll scraps

and cut. Lightly brush cookies with beaten egg white. Sprinkle nut sugar mixture

over tops. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack;

let cool competely. Makes 7 1/2 dozen cookies