From Linda Cicero’s Cook’s Corner Column

Cookies

Lucky Stars Cookies

1 1/3 cups sifted flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 egg

Filling:

1 1/4 cups ground walnuts or pecans

1/3 cup sugar

Pinch of salt

1 tablespoon melted butter

1/16 teaspoon maple flavoring

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Sift flour with baking powder. In another bowl, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in vanilla, almond extract, salt and egg. Gradually add dry ingredients; mix well. Roll out on floured surface to 1/8-inch thick. Cut with star-shaped cutter.

For filling, thoroughly mix nuts with sugar, salt, butter, maple flavoring and 2 tablespoons water. Place a teaspoonful in center of each star. Bring 5 points upright: Start at base; pinch sides together so points stand up, allowing filling to show.

Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 7 to 10 minutes, until browned as desired. Makes 24.

Per cookie: 109 calories (53 percent from fat), 6.7 g fat (1.9 g saturated, 1.3 g monounsaturated), 14 mg cholesterol, 2 g protein, 11 g carbohydrates, 0.6 g fiber, 55 mg sodium.