Shortbread Fans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325˚F.
2. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar at high speed with electric mixer until fluffy.
3. Add flour; mix at low speed until blended.
4. Divide dough into four balls; on each of two ungreased baking sheets, pat two balls into 4-inch rounds.
5. Prick with fork.
6. Score each lightly with knife into 6 wedges.
7. Bake 12-14 minutes or until edges just begin to brown.
8. While warm, cut wedges completely through; cool on wire racks.
9. While shortbread cools, melt semi-sweet chocolate pieces with shortening over low heat, stirring until melted.
10. Place chocolate mixture in pastry tube with a small tip, or make your own with a sealable sandwich bag, snipping one corner to create a hole just large enough for melted chocolate to pour through.
11. Drizzle shortbread with melted chocolate.
12. Sprinkle with almonds and pull wedges apart.
13. Store in a tightly sealed container.