Hildegard de Bingen's Intellegence Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter

3 cups brown sugar

2 eggs, well beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons baking powder

6 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1 cup sliced almonds

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs.  Combine and sift dry ingredients.  Add about 3 cups dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.  When the mixer can no longer mix in dry ingredients, begin to knead in the rest of the flour.  Shape into rolls, wrap in waxed or parchment paper and refrigerate or freeze.  Thaw frozen dough in refrigerator over night before baking.  Slice thin.  Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 375°F for 7 to 10 minutes (depends on thickness).