Baci di Pantelleria - Sicilian Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) ground almonds 2 cups (240g) ground almonds
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 3 egg whites 3 egg whites
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 0.6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 9g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.02g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground almonds, granulated sugar, and lemon zest.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
4. 4.
   Gently fold the egg whites into the almond mixture until well combined.
5. 5.
   Using a spoon or a piping bag, drop small portions of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
6. 6.
   Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
8. 8.
   Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar.
9. 9.
   Serve and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds for the best texture. If you can't find ground almonds, you can grind whole almonds in a food processor until finely ground.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a teaspoon of almond extract to the dough.
• If you prefer a stronger lemon flavor, you can increase the amount of lemon zest.
• To achieve a uniform shape, use a cookie scoop or an ice cream scoop to portion the dough onto the baking sheet.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for several days.
• These cookies make a lovely gift when packaged in a decorative box or tin.

Serving advice

Serve Baci di Pantelleria as a delightful accompaniment to a cup of espresso or tea. They also pair well with a glass of sweet dessert wine.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Baci di Pantelleria on a beautiful serving platter and sprinkle some additional powdered sugar on top for an elegant touch. You can also garnish with a few slivered almonds for added visual appeal.