Stuffed Dreidle/Stocking Cookies

I grew up making these as stocking cookies. But I had a brainstorm this week to make stuffed dreidle cookies.

1/2 C crisco shortening
1/2 C soft butter
1/2 C sifted confectioner's sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond flavoring
1/4 to 1/2 tsp food coloring
2 1/4 C sifted Gold Medal flour
1/4 tsp salt

for surprises:
9 candied cherries, quartered
1/4 C broken nuts
1/4 C chocolate pieces
anything else you think would be tasty inside

Mix well shortening, sugar, flavorings and food coloring.

Blend in flour and salt. If dough seems too dry, add a few drops of cream.

Chill 1 hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees. In palm of hand, pat 1 level teaspoon of dough and shape into dreidle shape or cut out with a small cookie cutter. Place surprises in appropriate spot.

Cover with another dreidle shaped cookie. Press to seal edges. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Cool.

Frost tip of dreidle and handle with confectioner's sugar icing.

For stockings: shape dough into a square in your palm. Put treats on one side of the dough, and fold over. Shape into a stocking or L shape.

When finished baking, frost the trim, heel, and toe with confectioners frosting.

Makes about 2-3 dozen.