CHOCOLATE-DIPPED ALMOND CRESCENT MOONS

Steps:

• Place almond paste, powdered sugar, sugar, and salt in processor. Using on/off turns, process until mixture resembles course meal. With machine running, gradually add egg whites through feed tube; process until blended. Transfer to bowl. Chill dough until slightly firm, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place sliced almonds in bowl. Using damp hands, roll scant 1/4 cup dough into 5-inch log. Roll log in almonds to coat. Transfer to prepared sheet, bending to form horseshoe shape with 1-1/2 inch space between ends. Repeat, spacing cookies 1 inch apart. Bake cookies until golden brown around edges, ~ 23 minutes. Cool cookies on sheets. Stir chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Working with 1 cookie at a time, dip ends into chocolate, tilting bowl if necessary, to coat 1 inch of each cookie end. Return cookies to parchment paper. Chill cookies to set chocolate coating, about 15 minutes.