Albanian Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) ground almonds 2 cups (240g) ground almonds
• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 150 kcal / 628 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 14g (Sugar: 7g)
• 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 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the ground almonds, all-purpose flour, and baking powder.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
5. 5.
   Divide the dough into small portions and shape them into rounds or crescents.
6. 6.
   Place the shaped cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
8. 8.
   Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before dusting them with powdered sugar.
9. 9.
   Serve and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground almonds — Make sure to use finely ground almonds for the best texture in the cookies.
• Butter — Soften the butter at room temperature before creaming it with the sugar to ensure a smooth batter.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or lemon zest to the cookie dough.
• If you prefer a softer texture, slightly underbake the cookies and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them.
• To make the cookies more festive, you can drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies.

Serving advice

Serve these Albanian Almond Cookies with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat. They are also perfect for special occasions or as a homemade gift.

Presentation advice

Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter and dust them generously with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation. You can also place a whole almond on top of each cookie for a beautiful finishing touch.