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Traditional Italian Christmas Cookies

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Delightful traditional Italian cookies that blend almond and citrus flavors, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups almond flour or finely ground blanched almonds
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 cup granulated or powdered sugar
  • Zest of 1 orange or lemon
  • Whole or chopped almonds / pine nuts (for topping)
  • 1 cup dried figs, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
  • 1/2 cup honey or sugar
  • Optional: cinnamon, cloves, or other warm spices
  • For dough: 2 cups flour, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup butter (or olive oil), 1 cup sugar
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Chopped nuts or pine nuts for rolling

Instructions

  1. Whip egg whites in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form.
  2. Fold in the almond flour, sugar, and citrus zest to form a soft, sticky dough.
  3. Shape the dough into small oval cookies and dust with powdered sugar.
  4. Chill the dough briefly, then bake at 325°F (160°C) until lightly golden.
  5. Prepare the filling by mixing dried figs, chopped nuts, honey, and optional spices.
  6. Roll out remaining dough, cut into rectangles, and fill with fig-nut-honey filling.
  7. Bake the cookies until golden, then allow to cool completely.
  8. Whip additional egg whites with sugar and mix in chopped nuts.
  9. Drop spoonfuls of the nut mixture onto a lined baking sheet.
  10. Bake at 325°F (160°C) until crisp on the outside and chewy inside.
  11. Create almond balls from almond paste mixed with egg whites and roll in pine nuts.
  12. Bake the nut-covered balls at 350°F (175°C) until golden on top.

Notes

Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for better whipping. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishrecipezbylucy.com/italian-christmas-cookies-traditional-treat/

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