Almond Spice Cookies

4 c All-purpose flour

3 ts Cinnamon

1 ts Ginger

1/2 ts Salt

1 ts Baking soda

1 c Butter

2 ts Instant coffee powder

1/2 ts Almond extract

1 c Granulated sugar

1 c Dark brown sugar,*

3 lg (extra) or jumbo eggs

10 oz Slivered blanched almonds**

* firmly packed ** (2 1/2 - 3 cups) These cookies go well with after dinner coffee or tea. In a bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt and baking soda and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter. Add the coffee, almond extract, granulated and brown sugars and beat well. Add the eggs one at a time until smooth after each addition. On low speed gradually add the sifted dry ingredients, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula and beating only until the mixture is smooth. Gently mix in the almonds. Spread out two p