Chewy Almond Butter Cookies

Almond butter does a lot of the work in these cookies. It is just ground almonds, so it brings its own toasty, slightly bitter richness, and it holds the dough together without flour. That is the whole reason this recipe can be so short. Once you have a jar open, you are most of the way there.

Almond butter is also a good thing to keep an eye on for texture. Natural styles that have separated need a good stir before measuring, or the dough can turn out oily and spread too far. If your jar has gone stiff from the fridge, let it sit on the counter for half an hour. Cold almond butter is hard to blend with the egg, and you will end up working the dough more than you want.

The fork crisscross is more than a pretty pattern. Pressing the tines in flattens each ball a little and helps the centre cook through at the same rate as the edges. These cookies are soft when they come out of the oven, so resist the urge to move them right away. Let them sit on the sheet for a few minutes until they firm up enough to lift, then cool them on a wire rack. They keep their chew best in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, then pack them together once they are solid.

If you want to make a little more of this dough, you can roll it into a log, wrap it, and keep it in the fridge for a couple of days. Slice rounds off as you need them. The dough also works well pressed into a small pan and cut into bars, though the baking time will be longer.

For a simple plate, I like these alongside a cup of unsweetened tea or a glass of cold milk. They also sit nicely next to a bowl of fresh berries when you want something light after dinner. If you are packing a snack for a walk or a day out, a couple of cookies in a small container with a piece of fruit makes a satisfying bite.

Try them with a stack of warm pancakes on a lazy weekend. A good option is Banana Oat Pancakes with Pecans, which has the same nutty warmth. For something cooling after a meal, Creamy Vanilla Almond Chia Pudding ties the almond flavour together in a bowl.