Easy & Delicious, Festive Roasted Almond Cookies

These Festive Roasted Almond Cookies are the perfect balance of simplicity and flavor, bringing a bit of Italian tradition to your kitchen. With grated whole almonds and a rich touch of chocolate, these cookies are both rustic and indulgent—ideal for any occasion. 

Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this recipe is all about great ingredients and bold flavors. So, let's get baking and make something that tastes like Italy!

INGREDIENTS:

• Lightly Roasted Almonds, 6 cups
• Sugar, 2 cups
• Eggs, 4
• Almond extract, 3 tsp.

For Decorating:

• Baking Chocolate, 2 cups (white chocolate or dark chocolate, or both!)
• Sunflower Oil, 1 teaspoon per cup of chocolate
• Almond Slivers
• Ground Almonds (save some from the main dough prep)

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DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the Almond ground
• Grind lightly roasted almonds in a food processor or high-powered blender until finely ground, being careful not to over-process.
• Measure out 6 cups of the ground almonds for the recipe.
  
  
2. Mix the Dough
• In a large bowl, use a fork to mix the eggs and sugar. Beat for 2 minutes until well combined
• Add the almond extract and 5 cups of the ground almonds, give it a good mix
• Mix using your hands gradually adding the last cup of ground almonds, mix for 2 minutes until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
  
  
3. Shape the Cookies
• Form the dough into your desired shapes.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and arrange the cookies on the sheet.
  
  
4. Bake the Cookies
• Preheat your oven to 365°F (185°C).
• Bake the cookies for 10–11 minutes. Do not overbake, as this will cause them to harden.
  
  
5. Decorate the Cookies
• Cookies must be cooled
• Melt 2 cups of baking chocolate (Nonna recommends both white and dark for a beautiful mix of colour)
• Add 1 tsp of sunflower oil to 1 cup of chocolate.
• Dip the top end of the cookie into the melted chocolate, and place back onto parchment lined baking sheets. Watch how Nonna does it for the perfect technique.
• Let the chocolate solidify a bit, then top with almond slivers or almond crumble for final gourmet touch!
• Let dry and Mangia!

Watch Nonna Make Roasted Almond Cookies!

Tips to Enhance your Roasted Almond Cookies Baking Experience!

1. Toast Almonds for Maximum Flavor: Lightly roasting the almonds before grinding is a crucial step that elevates the nutty flavor of your cookies. Be sure to cool them completely before processing to prevent clumping. This small effort makes a big difference!

2. Grind Almonds with Precision: Use a food processor or nut grinder to achieve a fine yet slightly textured consistency. Over-grinding can turn almonds into almond butter, so pulse carefully.

3. Use High-Quality Chocolate: If the recipe includes chocolate, opt for a high-quality dark or semi-sweet variety. Better chocolate enhances the overall flavor and complements the nutty almonds perfectly.

4. Line Your Baking Sheet Properly: Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure an even bake. This also makes cleanup easier.

5. Shape Cookies Uniformly: Use a cookie scoop or weigh the dough to ensure even-sized cookies. This helps them bake evenly and look more polished when served.

6. Watch the Bake Time Closely: Almond cookies can quickly overbake. Remove them as soon as the edges turn golden for a soft, chewy center and a slightly crisp edge.

Did you Know?

Roasting Unlocks Almonds’ Full Flavor: Lightly roasting almonds not only enhances their nutty flavor but also deepens their natural sweetness. This process activates the oils in the nuts, making them more aromatic and flavorful, which is why it's a crucial step in this recipe.

Ground Almonds Are a Traditional Italian Staple: In Italian baking, ground almonds (often referred to as almond meal or flour) have been used for centuries as a base for desserts, especially in regions like Sicily and Puglia. Almond-based cookies, like this recipe, are a nod to Italy's rich culinary heritage, often enjoyed during festive occasions.

Almonds Are Technically Seeds, Not Nuts: While commonly referred to as nuts, almonds are actually the seeds of the almond fruit, which grows on almond trees. The almond fruit is a drupe, similar to cherries or peaches, with the edible seed nestled inside its hard outer shell. This unique classification adds to almonds' botanical intrigue!

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