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1
Cut shortening into flour, using two knives or a pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse meal.
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2
Add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until dough can be gathered into a ball.
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3
Wrap in waxed paper and let stand 30 minutes.
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4
Roll out to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured board.
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5
Cut into strips about 2 1/2 inches wide and 4 inches long.
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6
(Vary this for smaller or larger letters.)
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7
Roll marzipan into sausage rolls, about 1-inch in diameter.
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8
Place these on the strips of dough and close dough over filling, sealing edges with water.
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9
Flip over gently so seam is on bottom.
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10
Carefully bend into letters.
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11
Place on a buttered baking sheet.
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12
Brush with egg yolk glaze and bake in preheated 400 degrees F. oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until dough is golden brown and crisp.
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13
If you want to decorate dough with any of the suggested garnishes, brush with glaze and add sugar, fruit and/or nuts before baking.
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14
Makes 10 letters 1 to 3 inches tall, or 2 large letters.
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15
ALMOND PASTE Grind almonds 4 or 5 times through the finest blade of the food chopper or in a nut grinder to a smooth and slightly oily consistency.
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16
Work in sugar (the mixture will be like thick, wet sand).
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17
The almonds may be ground in a blender or food processor; grind 1/2 cup at a time together with 1 tablespoon of the sugar, working in remaining sugar when all the nuts have been ground.
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18
Store in an airtight container.
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19
Use mixture to fill pastry or candies or to make marzipan (below).
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20
MARZIPAN Mash paste until slightly softened.
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21
Beat egg white until fluffy and blend in.
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22
Add sugar and flavoring and mix in until smooth enough to handle, adding more sugar if mixture is too sticky, or lemon juice if it crumbles.
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23
Knead for a minute or two until smooth and then shape as desired.
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24
Visions of SugarPlums
