In a small pan add just a bit of butter and roast the almonds until they become crunchy and brown. Once the almonds are done set them aside.
In a large bowl beat bowl and powdered sugar until combined.
Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla.
Slowly start to add in the flour and cognac and continue to beat.
Continue by adding the almonds, or walnuts which ever you prefer and combine with hands.
This becomes a dough mix.
Take a small part of the dough and roll into a ball, press down with thumb in the center, and or roll out the dough to make half moon shapes
Coat with the extra Powder Sugar it should cover the cookies as shown in the picture above.