Queijinhos de Amêndoa (Almond Cheese Balls)

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 50g (½ cup) almond flour 50g (½ cup) almond flour
• 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories: 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat: 8g (1g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 10g (9g sugars)
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.01g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, almond flour, and granulated sugar.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla extract together until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until a thick dough forms.
5. 5.
   Take small portions of the dough and roll them into 1-inch balls.
6. 6.
   Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
7. 7.
   Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cheese balls are golden brown.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
9. 9.
   Dust the cooled cheese balls with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds and almond flour for the best texture. If you can't find almond flour, you can grind blanched almonds in a food processor until fine.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can sprinkle some cinnamon or lemon zest over the cheese balls before baking.
• If the dough is too sticky to handle, lightly wet your hands with water while shaping the balls.
• Store the cooled cheese balls in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Serving advice

Serve Queijinhos de Amêndoa as a sweet treat alongside a cup of coffee or tea. They are perfect for dessert tables or as a homemade gift for friends and family.

Presentation advice

Arrange the cheese balls on a decorative platter and dust them generously with powdered sugar. You can also garnish with a few whole almonds for an elegant touch.