Desserts Recipes - Almond Shortbread Recipe

Preheat the oven to 160°C/325°F/Gas mark 3. Lightly grease a 18 x 28cm/7 x 11in shallow baking tin.

Combine the flour and ground almonds in a bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and rub into the flour and almonds with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Stir in the sugar and almond essence, then squeeze the mixture together to form a dough.

Place the dough in the prepared baking tin and spread to the edges by pressing it down with a metal spoon.

Lightly brush the top of the dough with egg white and sprinkle the flaked almonds over.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until lightly browned. Leave to cool in the tin, then cut into individual biscuits. Dust with sugar just before serving.