Whole cloves Preheat oven to 180ºC Using an electric mixer, beat butter and one third cup powdered sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolk and brandy; beat until thick as mayonnaise. Gradually add flour, beating until smooth. Flour hands. Pinch off small pieces of dough to form round balls 4 cm in diameter. Arrange cookies well apart on ungreased cookie sheet; place a clove in center of each. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. On a sheet of waxed paper, pour a thick bed of powdered sugar (about 1 cup). Using a spatula, gently transfer hot cookies onto sugar as soon as they are removed from the oven. Pour more sugar on tops and sides. Cool at least 4 hours before transferring to a serving dish. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar so shortbread is completely covered. ----