4 cups pastry flour

2 cups sugar

½ cup ground almonds

½ cup vegetable shortening

1 tube almond paste

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

5 eggs, slightly beaten

Icing

1 cup confectionery sugar

¼ teaspoon almond extract

1 tablespoon soft butter

4 teaspoons water

Preheat oven to 375° F. Combine bun ingredients in large bowl until a medium soft dough forms. Add a little flour as needed for consistency. With your hands, shape biscuit-size balls. Slightly flatten the balls when you place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Cool. Beat icing ingredients together until smooth. Frost buns with large cross (+ ) with icing. Great for an Ostara Breakfast.

By Ann Moura