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Coconut-Allspice Diamonds

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Coconut-Allspice Diamonds

  • make ahead MAKE-AHEAD
ACTIVE TIME: 1 HR
TOTAL TIME: 4 HRS
MAKES ABOUT 5 DOZEN COOKIES
These simple cookies have a crisp texture and a delicate allspice flavor. They can be cut into just about any shape.
ingredients
  • 2 sticks plus 6 tablespoons (11 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 cup whole blanched almonds, finely ground, or 1/2 cup almond flour or meal
  • 1 cup finely grated unsweetened coconut (3 ounces)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 3/4 teaspoons ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
directions
  1. In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, almonds and coconut. Beat in 1 of the eggs. Add the 2 3/4 cups of flour, the allspice, salt and nutmeg and beat just until combined. Divide the dough in half and flatten into disks, then wrap in plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. 
  2. Liberally flour a large sheet of wax paper. Transfer 1 of the disks of dough to the paper, dust with flour and cover with another sheet of wax paper. Roll out the dough to a 12-inch square about 1/4 inch thick, lifting and repositioning the paper from time to time. Set the dough on a cookie sheet and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Repeat with the second disk of dough. 
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the top sheet of wax paper from 1 square of rolled-out dough and set it on a cutting board. Cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch-wide strips. Using a ruler positioned on the diagonal, cut 1 1/2-inch-wide strips, to create diamonds. Using a thin spatula, arrange the cookies 3/4 inch apart on the baking sheets. Repeat with the second square of dough. Gather all of the scraps into a disk and refrigerate until firm. Roll out the dough 1/4 inch thick, then cut more diamonds. 
  4. In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg with the milk, vanilla and espresso. Brush the diamonds with the glaze. Bake the cookies on the middle and lower racks of the oven for about 17 minutes, or until browned, shifting the pans from top to bottom and back to front halfway through. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet.

MAKE AHEAD The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 2 months.

NOTES Freshly-ground whole spices far surpass the pre-ground kind. For small spices like allspice, black peppercorns and cloves, use a spice grinder or coffee mill.