Palets de Dames - French Almond Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120g) ground almonds 1 cup (120g) ground almonds
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• Pinch of salt Pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 5g
• Protein: 2g
• 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 vanilla extract and lemon zest to the butter mixture and mix well.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, combine the ground almonds, all-purpose flour, and salt.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. 5.
   Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Roll the chilled dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
8. 8.
   Gently press down on each ball with the back of a fork to create a crisscross pattern.
9. 9.
   Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges.
10. 10.
    Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. 11.
    Once cooled, dust the Palets de Dames with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground almonds — Make sure to use finely ground almonds for the best texture in the cookies.
• Lemon zest — Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of elegance, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies.
• If you prefer a stronger almond flavor, you can add a few drops of almond extract to the dough.
• Store the Palets de Dames in an airtight container to maintain their crispness.

Serving advice

Serve these Palets de Dames alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They also make a charming addition to a dessert platter or cookie assortment.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Palets de Dames on a decorative serving tray, dusted with an additional sprinkle of powdered sugar. Garnish with a few fresh mint leaves for a pop of color.