23

One year older and wiser too.  Or something like that.

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1. Riding Dumbo.  Birthday Disney Trip.
2. Birthday Breakfast.  Thanks Danny!
3. Raspberry Lemonade Thumbprints.  For birthday book club! (Recipe found here.)

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, separated
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds, toasted
1/4 cup raspberry jam

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a large cookie sheet with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat butter, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, almond extract and salt until creamy and well combined - about 1 minute. Beat in egg yolk (reserving white) until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour until just combined.

Whisk egg white in a small bowl. Roll cookie dough into balls, roll in egg white, followed by ground almonds. Place on cookie sheet. Press a thumbprint into each ball. Place a tiny spoonful of jam into each thumbprint. Bake 12-15 minutes or until firm and light golden. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Makes about 16 cookies

Now it's Birthday Bedtime!