SICILIAN ALMOND PASTRIES (PASTE DI MANDORLA)
This recipe for Sicilian Almond Pastries brings the authentic flavors of Sicily directly into your kitchen.
Made with a few simple ingredients such as almond flour, sugar and egg whites, these soft and chewy cookies are naturally gluten-free and perfect for special occasions or everyday treats.
Whether you are a fan of classic Italian desserts or simply love anything with a rich almond flavor, this easy recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Makes about 20 pastries
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 cups of almond flour
- 2 cups of sugar
- 2 large egg whites (room temperature)
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
- Whole almonds, candied cherries, or pine nuts (for decoration)
- Pinch of salt (about 1/8 tsp)
METHOD:
Prepare the almond mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
Beat the egg whites until stiff:
In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the egg whites until frothy (they should be foamy but not stiff). Add the almond extract.
Form the dough:
Gradually add the beaten egg whites to the almond mixture. Mix until the dough forms. The dough should be sticky but firm enough to hold its shape.
Form the cookies:
Preheat oven to 170°C (340°F) and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
Dust your hands with powdered sugar or moisten them slightly to handle the dough better.
Take small portions of the dough (about the size of a walnut), form into balls and gently flatten them or give them an oval shape.
If desired, insert a whole almond, candied cherry or a few pine nuts in the center of each cookie.
Bake:
Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until they are lightly browned on the edges but still soft in the center.
They will firm up as they cool.
Cool and serve:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
If desired, dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
Storage:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
