Ghrybeh (Shortbread Cookies)

Ingredients

• •1 cup clarified butter, that does not contain a drop of water
• •1 cup icing sugar
• •1 1/2 to 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
• •1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• •1/ 3 teaspoon mastic, pounded to a powder
• •18 blanched almonds or pine nuts/optional

Directions

1. 1Make the clarified butter if not already prepared.
2. 2Bring butter to room temperature, place in a small bowl and beat with an electric mixer until white and fluffy. Add sugar gradually and beat for another 5 minutes.
3. 3Sift together the mastic and baking soda with one cup of the flour and add to the butter mixture and mix well. Add flour as needed until the dough won't absorb any more. Work it well with your hands and form into a ball.
4. 4Take a piece of dough the size of a walnut, roll between the hands and shape into a mildly curved ‘S’, about 4 inches long. Lay on an ungreased baking sheet well apart from each other. Press an almond or a pine nut (optional) in the middle of each. Bake in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven until the bottoms turn lightly golden (about 15 minutes).
5. 5Cool and store in an airtight container.