Traditional Italian Marzipan Cookies (Ricciarelli)

These Italian almond "Ricciarelli"
cookies are soft, chewy and addictive!

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

4 cups superfine almond flour**

1/4 cup all purpose flour

zest of 1 orange

2 teaspoons pure almond extract

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/4 cup water

2 egg whites (1/4 cup)

1 teaspoon baking powder

parchment paper

additional powdered sugar for dusting

Method:

Set 1/4 + 2 tablespoons of the sugar aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining sugar, almond flour, all purpose flour, zest, almond extract and powdered sugar.

Add the water and sugar that was set aside to a small saucepan. Simmer and stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool slightly before adding to the mixture in the large bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature for 1 hour or overnight. (This allows the flavor and aroma to develop.)

Whisk the egg whites until foamy and stir into the the mixed ingredients. Add the baking powder and mix in.

Preheat oven to 320*. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lay another large piece of parchment paper on the counter/ work surface. Srinkle with powdered sugar. Form the dough into two logs about  1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Cut the logs into 1/2 inch slices. Dust both of the cut sides with powdered sugar.

Place onto the prepared baking sheets and use your fingers to form an oval shape out of each slice.

Bake on the center rack of the oven for 12 to 14 minutes. (The tops of the cookies will develop cracks.)

Cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes and then transfer to a rack to finish cooling. 

Cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Makes 34 cookies.

**To make superfine almond flour, place almond flour in a food processor and process until a finer texture is achieved. If you do not have a food processor, regular blanched almond flour may be used.

Notes: 

These delicious cookies are flavorful and reminicent of high quality marzipan candy. If you like marzipan, you will love these Italian cookies!

Ricciarelli are perfect with coffee or tea and since they are mostly made of ground almonds, they can be eaten for breakfast, too!  😀