Almond Paste Cookies Food

AMARETTI COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Break the almond paste into small pieces and place in bowl of electric mixer along with the sugar.
• Mix on low speed until very fine.
• Add the egg whites in three additions, mix well after each addition.
• Continue mixing the dough until very smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Place a tablespoon of dough on the cookie sheet (space them 1 inch apart).
• Lightly press the top of each cookie to smooth out the surface.
• Sprinkle a little sugar on top of each cookie.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cookies have risen, are a deep golden color and have tiny cracks.
• Remove from the oven.
• When cool gently peel cookies from parchment.
• Note: If they stick to the parchment, turn the paper over, take a damp paper towel and gently wipe the bottom of the parchment paper to loosen the cookie.

PIGNOLI COOKIES I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line 2 cookie sheets with foil; lightly grease foil.
• Mix almond paste and granulated sugar in food processor until smooth. Add confectioners' sugar and 2 egg whites; process until smooth.
• Whisk remaining 2 egg whites in small bowl. Place pine nuts on shallow plate. With lightly floured hands, roll dough into 1 inch balls. Coat balls in egg whites, shaking off excess, then roll in pine nuts, pressing lightly to stick. Arrange balls on cookie sheets, and flatten slightly to form a 1 1/2 inch round.
• Bake 15 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let stand on cookie sheet 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack to cool.