Peppernuts

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In the large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar using an electric mixer.
2. 2
   Add the egg and ground nuts.
3. 3
   In another bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder, soda, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg.
4. 4
   Blend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until a stiff dough forms.
5. 5
   Shape the dough into a ball.
6. 6
   (At this point, you can wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it to develop the flavor, for up to a week).
7. 7
   Cut off a portion of the dough at a time and roll between your hands and a lightly floured work surface to make slim, ropes about 1/2-inch thick.
8. 8
   Place 4 or 5 ropes on an ungreased cookie sheet.
9. 9
   Cut ropes into 1/2-inch pieces using a sharp, small knife.
10. 10
    Separate the pieces.
11. 11
    Bake for 8 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned and dry.
12. 12
    Remove from the oven; cool on the baking sheet.