Almond sable icebox cookies with cacao nibs
Total time: 45 minutes, plus cooling times | Makes about 1 1/2 dozen cookies
2⁄3 cup plus 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil or butter, at room temperature 1⁄3 cup vegan or standard granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 2⁄3 cup almond meal 1 cup (4 1/4 ounces) flour 1⁄2 cup cacao nibs 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a medium bowl using a hand mixer, beat together the coconut oil, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract and salt until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes.
2. By hand, stir in the almond meal and flour until thoroughly incorporated. Use your hands if needed to knead the ingredients, still in the bowl, together to form a uniform dough. Stir or knead in the cacao nibs.
3. Form the dough into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter and roll in a sheet of plastic wrap (the dough will be crumbly, and the plastic wrap will keep each cookie in place as it is sliced). If the dough is too soft to slice, refrigerate the log to firm it up, 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the log, still in the plastic wrap to support the dough, crosswise into slices 1/4-inch thick. Remove any pieces of plastic wrap and space the slices 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Tip: Rotate the log onequarter turn in between slices to keep the round shape of the cookies as they are sliced.
5. Bake the cookies until set and very lightly colored, 16 to 20 minutes, rotating the cookies halfway through for even baking.
6. Place the baking sheets on a rack and cool the cookies completely before removing.
Note: From Noelle Carter. Sugar is often processed using animal bone char, which is unacceptable to many vegans. Vegan sugar (animal-free processing) is generally available at health food markets, as well as online.