Amarettini Candy Food

AMARETTINI CANDY

Steps:

• Place the amarettini in a freezer bag and crush the cookies into very fine crumbs (using a glass bottle). Place the crumbs in a bowl and stir in the amaretto.
• Break the chocolate into pieces and melt those using a hot water bath. Add the cookie crumbs and mix well.
• Pur the mixture onto a baking sheet and form into a rectangle of about 20X10 cm. Refrigerate for 30 minute.
• Cut the hardened mass into small cubes (2X2.5cm).
• For garnish: Melt the chocolate using a hot water bath, fill it into a freezer bag, cut off a tiny edge and decorate the cubes with the chocolate. For a variation you could also use two different kinds of chocolate.
• Place in a box and store in a cool place (these will keep up to ten days).

AMARETTI BISCUITS

Steps:

• Rub half the lemon zest into the caster sugar in a bowl using your fingertips until the mixture looks slightly damp. Set 2 tbsp of the lemon sugar aside, then stir the ground almonds into the rest until combined.
• Pour the egg whites into a large, clean bowl and whisk for 3-5 mins until stiff peaks form. Gradually whisk in the 2 tbsp of reserved lemon sugar to help stabilise the egg.
• Mix half the beaten egg whites and the almond liqueur (if using) into the dry ingredients until you have a smooth paste, then fold in the remaining egg whites until just incorporated. Chill for 1 hr.
• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and line two large baking trays with baking parchment. Roll tablespoons of the chilled dough into 15 even-sized balls.
• Fold the remaining lemon zest into the icing sugar, then roll the balls in this and place 2cm apart on the prepared trays. Dust with a little extra plain icing sugar, then bake for 13-15 mins until lightly golden but still soft. Leave to cool on the trays for 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely. Will keep in an airtight container for up to 10 days. Dust with more icing sugar just before serving.

AMARETTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a food processor, grind the almonds into a fine meal. Add the sugar and continue to process for another 15 seconds. Finally, add egg whites and almond extract, continue to process until a smooth dough forms around the blade.
• Using a teaspoon, place well rounded spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Cookies should be at least 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Cookies should be golden. Allow cookies to cool completely on the paper before removing. Store in a dry place.