Welcome to another delicious episode of TortellinoTime! Today, I’m bringing you a recipe straight from the heart of Sicily: the iconic Paste di Mandorla, or Sicilian Almond Cookies. These delicate, soft, and irresistibly fragrant cookies are a true celebration of tradition, perfect for Christmas but equally delightful all year round. Whether you’re looking to add an Italian touch to your festive baking or simply crave a sweet treat to enjoy with your coffee, this recipe is for you.
What makes these cookies so special isn’t just their mouthwatering flavor, although trust me, you’ll fall in love at the first bite. It’s also how wonderfully simple and fun they are to make. With just a handful of ingredients, most of which you probably already have at home, you’ll have a batch of cookies that are elegant yet effortless. And here’s the best part: they’re perfect for baking with children! Invite your little ones to join you in the kitchen for some hands-on fun. Together, you can shape the cookies, decorate them with cherries, almonds, or even sprinkles, and create sweet memories while teaching them valuable life skills. It’s the perfect way to spark their interest in cooking and nurture healthy eating habits from a young age.
For my vegan friends, I’ve got you covered! This recipe includes an easy substitute for the egg whites, simply use aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas), and you’ll still achieve that soft, snow-like texture for folding into the almond mixture. These cookies are naturally vegetarian, and with this swap, they can be made entirely plant-based without compromising on flavor or texture.
In the video, I’ll guide you through every step of the process, from mixing the almond dough to piping and decorating the cookies. I’ll also share some tips on how to store them, so you can keep these little delights fresh for days, though I’ll warn you, they’re so good, they might not last that long!
So, whether you’re baking for the holidays or just because you need a sweet moment of Sicilian sunshine in your day, this recipe is for you. Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make these cookies together. Don’t forget to share your creations with me in the comments or on social media, I love seeing your TortellinoTime masterpieces.
Buon Natale, happy baking, and let’s dive right in! 🍪🎅
Key Chapters with Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Sicilian Almond Cookie
00:49 – Mixing the Almond Dough
01:49 – Whipping Egg Whites (or Aquafaba) to Perfection
02:42 – Combining the Dough and Achieving the Right Texture
03:37– Shaping and Decorating the Cookies
10:08 – Baking Tips for the Perfect Texture
12:54 – Storage Instructions and Serving Suggestions
Sicilian Almond Cookies (Paste di Mandorla)
Ingredients:
500 g ground almonds
350 g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tsp almond essence
4 egg whites (or 12 tbsp chickpea water for a vegan version)
7g Bakng powder
A pinch of salt
Decorations: candied cherries, whole almonds, or other toppings (jam, marmalade, chocolate sprinkles, etc.)
Icing sugar for dusting
Instructions:
Prepare the almond base:
In a large bowl, mix the ground almonds with the icing sugar, vanilla essence, almond essence and baking powder until well combined.
Whip the egg whites (or chickpea water):
Using an electric whisk, beat the egg whites (or chickpea water) with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. The mixture should resemble soft snow.
Combine the mixtures:
Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the almond mixture using a spatula. Use a gentle up-and-down motion to preserve the fluffiness of the egg whites. The result should be a sticky, moist dough.
Shape the cookies:
Transfer the dough into a piping bag with a star nozzle. Pipe small cookie shapes onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Alternatively, use your hands to shape them into rounds or other creative forms. This is a great step to involve kids for added fun!
Decorate:
Press a candied cherry, almond, or other toppings of your choice onto the center of each cookie.
Bake:
Preheat your oven to 240°C (465°F). Bake the cookies for 5–7 minutes, keeping a close eye on them. They should develop a golden exterior but remain soft inside. Don’t worry if they seem slightly soft when you remove them from the oven; they will firm up as they cool.
Cool and finish:
Once cooled, dust the cookies with a light sprinkling of icing sugar for an elegant touch.
Enjoy:
These cookies are a festive treat, perfect for the holidays or any special occasion. Their almond flavor and soft texture make them irresistible. Merry Christmas, and buon appetito!
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