Cream together shortening and sugars. Add eggs, cream and vanilla and blend well. Combine dry ingredients, except for ground almonds. Slowly add dry ingredients and blend well, until dough has consistent appearance. Form 1 inch balls of dough. Roll in ground almonds and place on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time at 350 degrees for 13 – 14 minutes until cookies have irregular cracks on the surface. Allow to cool and store in sealed container.