Chai-Spiced Pine Cones

Stir Chai Spice into the dough portion. Wrap and chill dough 30 to 60 minutes or until easy to handle. Preheat oven to 375°F. On a lightly floured surface roll dough to 1/4 inch thick. Use a 2-inch teardrop-shape or oval cookie cutter to cut dough. Arrange cutouts 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Insert almonds at an angle on cutouts to resemble a pine cone, leaving about 1/2 inch at the bottoms.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute. Remove; cool on wire racks.

Place chocolate and shortening in a small bowl. Microwave 1 minute or until melted and smooth, stirring once. Dip the bottom of each pine cone into melted chocolate mixture. Let stand or chill until set. If desired, lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar.