Canestrelli di Avosso

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) almond flour 200g (1 ¾ cups) almond flour
• 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 egg yolk 1 egg yolk
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 5g (Sugars: 3g)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. 2.
   Add the almond flour and lemon zest to the bowl and mix until well combined.
3. 3.
   Add the egg yolk and continue mixing until the dough comes together.
4. 4.
   Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. 6.
   Take small portions of the chilled dough and roll them into ropes about 1 cm (½ inch) thick.
7. 7.
   Join the ends of each rope to form small rings, resembling scallop shells, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
8. 8.
   Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn golden around the edges.
9. 9.
   Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
10. 10.
    Once cooled, dust the Canestrelli di Avosso with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almond flour — Ensure you are using finely ground almond flour for the best texture in the cookies.
• Lemon zest — Use organic lemons and grate only the outer yellow part of the peel, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of elegance, you can press a whole almond into the center of each cookie before baking.
• If you prefer a stronger lemon flavor, you can add a few drops of lemon extract to the dough.
• Store the Canestrelli di Avosso in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and crispness.

Serving advice

Serve Canestrelli di Avosso alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea. They are perfect for afternoon tea parties, dessert platters, or as a sweet treat to enjoy at any time of the day.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Canestrelli di Avosso on a beautiful serving platter, dusted with an extra sprinkle of powdered sugar. You can also garnish the platter with fresh lemon slices or a sprig of mint for a touch of color.