Name: Walnut-Topped Spice Cookies
Yield: Makes about 18 cookies
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 18 (about) walnut halves; 1 egg, beaten to blend (for glaze)

"When my ancestors left Spain and settled on the Greek island of Rhodes five hundred years ago, they brought with them their Sephardic culture," writes Rebecca Levy. "Likewise, when I fled Greece during World War II and eventually relocated to Los Angeles, I brought with me the traditions of my home. A lot of these traditions have to do with food, and since sharing my heritage has always been important to me, I often make favorites from my homeland for friends and family."

These dainty cookies have a sandy texture.

Recipe notes

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