Cream Crisco, sugar, eggs, vanilla and almond essence. Add baking soda to sour cream and add to Crisco mixture. Sift together dry ingredients and add to batter. Mix until well blended.

Turn dough out onto lightly floured board and divide in half. Pat (do NOT roll - it will get too tough) each half out until about 1" thick. Cut out in circles. Sprinkle with flaked almonds, pressing them lightly into dough.

Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until lightly brown. Transfer to wire rack to cool. These need to be stored in an airtight container.

http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/kitchen-food-recipes-good-health/128249-russian-recipe-needed.html

*This recipe calls for Crisco but I generally have better luck using butter.