Montecados

makes 6 dozen

5 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2-1/3 cups vegetable shortening, melted
1 teaspoon anise extract
6 dozen blanched almonds

Preheat the oven to 250F. Combine flour, sugar and cinnamon. Add the melted shortening, stir until well combined. Add the anise. Knead dough about 5 minutes. Roll into 1" balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2" apart. Place a blanched almond on top of each cookie and push down slightly. Bake 30 minutes--do not brown the cookies. Let cookies cool on cookie sheet for 30 minutes.