Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/3 ¨C 1/2 cup white sesame seeds, as needed
• 1 egg, lightly beaten (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (162.5 degrees Celsius).
2. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl.
3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter or margarine, shortening, and white and brown sugar. Add the eggs and almond extract, and beat until well blended. Stir in the flour mixture and mix well. The dough will be dry and crumbly at this point.
4. Use your fingers to form the mixture into a dough, and then form the dough into 2 rolls or logs that are 10 ¨C 12 inches long. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 and preferably 4 hours. (If desired, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate overnight).
5. Take a log and lightly score the dough at 3/4 inch intervals so that you have 15 pieces and cut the dough. Roll each piece into a small ball and roll the ball in the bowl of sesame seeds to cover. (Note: If you like you can brush the ball with lightly beaten egg prior to dipping in the sesame seeds, to help the seeds stick to the cookie). Place the balls on a lightly greased cookie tray, approximately 2 inches apart.
6. Bake the cookies at 325 degrees for about 15 - 17 minutes, or until a fork inserted in the middle comes out clean and they easily lift from the baking sheet. Cool. When thoroughly cooled, store in a sealed container.

Nutritional Breakdown: (per cookie, based on 48 cookies) Each serving contains: Calories 77, 8 g Carbohydrates, 19 g Protein, 5 g Total Fat (2 g saturated, 2 monounsaturated, 1 polyunsaturated, 53 mg sodium