Chocolate Oatmeal Fancies

1/2 cup sliced almonds

3/4 cup vegetable shortening

1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3 cups quick oats, uncooked

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 ounces white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup coarsely chopped red candied cherries

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spread almonds on baking sheet. Bake 5 minutes or until almonds are golden brown. Cool completely. Reserve. Grease baking sheets with shortening. Combine shortening, brown sugar, egg, milk, vanilla and almond extract in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.

Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Mix into creamed mixture at low speed just until blended. Stir in white chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, cherries and reserved almonds. Drop by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto greased baking sheet. Bake one sheet at a time at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Don't overbake. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to foil to cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Note: Larger cookies can be made out of dough, but increase baking time.