Bake St. Francis’s favorite almond cookies

Get ready to bake some goodies in honor of Saint Francis! Did you know that when Saint Francis was on his deathbed, he asked Blessed Jacoba to bring him his favorite treat (her almond cookies!).

Ingredients: This recipe makes about 48 cookies.

• 1 3/4 cup whole almonds

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 tsp flour

• 1/8 tsp salt

• 4 egg whites

• 1/2 tsp almond extract

• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you like, toast the whole almonds before you begin by cooking them in a dry frying pan over medium heat, stirring until fragrant. (This makes the cookies even more delicious!)

2. Once the almonds cool, process them in a food processor or a spice grinder until the dough has reached a mealy texture.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites to loosen them up. Add everything except the sliced almonds, and stir thoroughly until it forms a dough.

4. Use a teaspoon to scoop the dough onto the baking sheet, leaving at least an inch between the cookies.

5. Decorate with sliced almonds.

6. Bake at 300°F for 25 minutes, let cool, and enjoy!