Almond biscuits (DOLCETTI DI MANDORLE)
30
EASY
PREP TIME
10 MINS
COOK TIME
20 MINS
TOTAL TIME
30 MINS
RECIPE PROVIDED BY
Auntie Silvia
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INGREDIENTS
- 230 grams ground almonds
- 140 grams caster sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup icing sugar onto a flat plate
- have ready coffee beans, candied fruits and almonds - for your toppings
INTRODUCTION
These biscuits are a real family favourite – here in the UK and in Italy! They are known as a Christmas and Easter treat but are eaten all year round!
90% of the almond orchards in Italy are found in Apulia and Sicily so it’s no wonder we have the most incredible almond recipes and this is one of the best and easiest!
At this time of the year people start preparing the dolcetti (the small biscuits), for the holiday season. Our auntie Silvia makes the best ones and I bring back
kilos of them for our family! These delicious little cakes are slightly crisp and cracked on the outside with a soft inside. This recipe is
very quick and simple; you only need to be careful while baking, but follow our instructions and the result will be spectacular.
METHOD
Preparing the biscuit mixture
- Preheat your oven to 175 degrees
- Mix together the ground almonds and caster sugar and set aside.
- Beat the egg whites and almond extract until soft peaks are formed.
- Fold together the beaten egg whites into dry ingredients until a crumbly dough forms. If a little dry, add another egg white.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Take a teaspoon of the dough and using
your fingers gently roll into a ball and place onto the plate with the
icing sugar. - Do this until about 1/2 the dough has been rolled.
- Roll each ball into the icing sugar then place onto your baking tray.
- When all the dough has been rolled
into balls and coated in the icing sugar, place them a couple of inches apart on the tray. - Gently press your almonds, coffee beans or cherry gently into the top of the biscuit.
- Bake at 175° for about 12 - 15 minutes
or until they are lightly gold on the top and have slightly cracked but
not burnt or brown. - Remove from the oven and carefully transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
To serve
- Serve the biscuits with a glass of wine, a coffee or with any drink.
- They also make an excellent gift!
Buona Pasqua, Buon Natale and buon appetito!
Top tip:
- Keep them in an air tight container and they will last a couple of weeks (if you can keep away from them!)
- Do not let them get too dark or they will be dry inside
Serve with a bottle of our fabulous Terre Di San Vito Apeneste white wine.
