Almond Sugar Cookies

Source: Country Living On-Line

Vegetable oil cooking spray
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter, softened
6 tablespoons vegetable shortening
3 eggs, separated
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1/4 cup orange juice
1 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat two large baking sheets with cooking spray. Set aside.

Sift flour, baking powder, salt and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Cut in butter and vegetable shortening with a pastry blender or two knives until dough resembles coarse meal. Mix in egg yolks.

In a medium bowl, beat egg whites and almond extract with mixer until soft peaks form