Mrs T’s Brown-Eyed Susans

A friend from middle school used to bring these cookies for lunch. Her family had a housekeeper, “Mrs T”, who made meals, baked, cleaned and did laundry for her mother. How sweet would that be?

Mrs T was a wonderful baker and the fridge and cookie jar were always full of cakes, loaves, slices and other treats. These cookies were a favourite and I have been making the recipe to rave reviews for many years.

These cookies have only four ingredients, not counting the icing and almond flake topping. They are great to bake on a rainy day with children on board, if presentation isn’t your focus! They are a bit pokey because there are a few steps to completion, but they are well worth it, and it doesn’t take long.

Mrs T’s Brown-Eyed Susans

Preheat oven to 400°F

• 1 cup butter or half butter, half shortening
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond flavouring
• 2 cups flour
• ½ teaspoon salt

Cream the butter and add the sugar and almond flavour, continuing to cream until well blended.

Combine the flour and salt. Add to the butter mixture and mix well.

Shape into balls and flatten them with a fork dipped in water, making cross hatch pattern with the tines.

Bake at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely and then top with your favourite chocolate icing, not icing right to the edge. Homemade icing is definitely better than canned. Place a few sliced almonds on top, and store in the fridge.

They won’t last long — they are addictive!