ALMOND-ORANGE SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• In a mixer or food processor bowl, beat butter, sugar, almond extract, and salt until smooth.
• With mixer on low speed, add flour and orange zest; mixt until dough forms.
• With a wooden spoon, rubber spatula, or your hands, gently mix in almonds.
• Cut piece of waxed paper--12" X 6".
• Roll dough into log shape (12" long by 2 1/2" wide and 1" thick. Place on waxed paper and wrap.
• Freeze until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 3 months.
• (If freezing longer than one day, wrap log again in double layers of plastic film.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Remove dough from freezer.
• With a sharp knife, slice into 1/4" thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheet at leat 1" apart.
• Bake until edges just begin to turn golden, about 20 minutes.
• DO NOT OVERBAKE.
• Cool 5 minutes on sheet; transfer to a rack to cool completely.