Mustacciuoli - Italian Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) almond flour 2 cups (240g) almond flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (120g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (120g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon orange zest 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 8g
• 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, almond extract, and orange zest.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined. The dough will be slightly sticky.
5. 5.
   Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a log, approximately 2 inches wide and 10 inches long.
6. 6.
   Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
7. 7.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. 8.
   Slice the chilled dough logs into 1/4-inch thick slices and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
9. 9.
   Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. 11.
    Once cooled, dust the Mustacciuoli cookies with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

Treat your ingredients with care...

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

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crunch, you can sprinkle some slivered almonds on top of the cookies before baking.
• If you prefer a stronger almond flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract to the powdered sugar used for dusting.
• Store the Mustacciuoli cookies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and crispness.

Serving advice

Serve these Mustacciuoli cookies alongside a cup of freshly brewed espresso or a glass of Vin Santo for a truly authentic Italian experience.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Mustacciuoli cookies on a decorative platter and sprinkle some additional powdered sugar on top for an elegant presentation. You can also place a few whole almonds around the cookies for a visually appealing touch.