Thumbprint Almond and Date Cookies

1/2 cup almond butter

2 cups almond meal

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp maple syrup

1 Tbsp pure maple sugar granules (powder)*

1/2 tsp pure vanilla

1/2 tsp almond extract

Place almond butter in mixing bowl and stir until smooth and creamy. Add almond meal, maple sugar granules, maple syrup, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix completely. Form dough into small rolls and then pinch off enough for a small cookie. Roll into a ball and then place on baking sheet and press thumb into center to make an indentation. Then prepare date filling using recipe below: 

1 cup dates, pitted

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup finely ground almonds 

For the filling, mix the water, cornstarch and sugar together. Add dates and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until thick and dates are smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Fill each indentation in cookie dough with a small amount of the date filling. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes. Do not over bake. Cool and enjoy!

*May omit if you cannot find. 

http://mycozykitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/thumb-print-almond-and-date-cookies.html