Almond Hearts

These lovely heart-shaped almond biscuits are so deliciously light and full of flavour. Lemon zest gives them a subtle zing, which you probably wouldn't perceive directly, but surely you'll note a richer flavour than that of a plain biscuit. Be careful though, it's hard to stop just after eating one!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup flour

80g butter
1/2 cup icing sugar
2tsp baking powder
1 egg + 1 yolk
2tbsp crème fraîche or natural yoghurt
50g almonds, finely chopped + 50g ground almonds

zest of 1 lemon
1tsp vanilla essence

Instructions

1. Place the flour in a large bowl. Add chopped butter into small pieces and rub together with your fingertips (or pulse in a food  processor) until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add sifted icing sugar and baking powder and mix together.

2. Add one whole egg and one yolk, yoghurt (cream), almonds and lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix together. If it is too sticky, mix in a little more flour.

3. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 mins.

4. Preheat the oven to 180C. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out with a cookie cutter. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Remove from the oven and leave for a few minutes, then gently transfer to a wire rack to cool.

7. You can dust them with icing sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate over them to decorate.

Note: They are best a day or two after baking; then you can really taste the almonds.