Ingredients

1 cup butter-flavored Crisco shortening
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup dried candied fruit, chopped fine
1 egg white
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
6 to 12 candied cherries, halved

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 F. In a large bowl, cream the Crisco and brown sugar. Beat in the egg yolks and almond extract. Gradually blend in the flour. Fold in the almonds and candied fruit. Pinch off walnut-sized pieces of dough and roll into pencil-thin ropes. Form the ropes into wreaths on an ungreased cookie sheet, pinching the ends together. In a medium bowl, beat the egg white and corn syrup until smooth. Brush the rings with the mixture and place a glacé cerry half on each ring at the point where the ends meet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the cookies are slightly golden.