Ossi dei Morti - Almond and Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) ground almonds 1 cup (120g) ground almonds
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup (60ml) milk 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat: 7g (1g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 13g (7g sugars)
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground almonds, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
5. 5.
   Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a thin log shape, resembling bones.
6. 6.
   Place the bone-shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until firm to the touch.
7. 7.
   Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground almonds — Make sure to use finely ground almonds for the best texture in the cookies.
• All-purpose flour — If you prefer a gluten-free version, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Cocoa powder — Use unsweetened cocoa powder to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
• Vegetable oil — Any neutral-flavored oil, such as canola or sunflower oil, can be used as a substitute.
• Milk — You can use any type of milk, including dairy-free alternatives like almond milk or oat milk.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of sweetness, you can dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
• If you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can increase the amount of ground cinnamon in the recipe.
• These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
• To make the bone shapes, you can use your hands to roll the dough into thin logs or use a piping bag with a large round tip to pipe the dough onto the baking sheet.
• If you want to add a festive touch, you can drizzle melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies.

Serving advice

Serve these Ossi dei Morti cookies alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of sweet dessert wine. They are perfect for enjoying as a snack or as a sweet treat after a meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the bone-shaped cookies on a serving platter or a decorative plate. You can sprinkle some powdered sugar over the cookies or place them on a bed of cocoa powder for an elegant presentation.