Amariette Cookies

7 egg whites

2 ½ cups white sugar

2 pounds ground almonds

2 tablespoons almond extract

1 cup chopped almonds

⅓ cup granulated sugar for decoration

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Beat egg whites and sugar until fluffy. Add the ground almond and almond extract, mixing well. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, roll in sugar and put a piece of almond or candied cherry on top.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees F) until firm. Bottom should be light brown.