Within the rich pastry-making tradition of Italy, nestled in the hills of Tuscany, lies a hidden gem known as "ricciarelli". These delectable almond-based cookies, often adorned with a dusting of powdered sugar, have captivated taste buds for centuries. Their distinctively chewy texture and explosion of nutty flavor make them a cherished delicacy, especially during the festive season. Embark on a culinary journey as we unravel the secrets of creating the perfect ricciarelli, guiding you through the selection of premium ingredients and revealing the step-by-step process of transforming simple pantry staples into an extraordinary confection. Discover the art of balancing sweetness with a hint of bitterness, shaping the dough to achieve the signature diamond pattern, and baking to perfection. Prepare to indulge in a taste of Tuscany with our comprehensive guide to crafting the most authentic and delectable ricciarelli.
Let's cook with our recipes!
TUSCAN ALMOND COOKIES (RICCIARELLI)
These traditional almond cookies hail from Tuscany; their texture is chewy, similar to macaroons.
Provided by Skye Gyngell
Categories Bon Appétit Bake Cookies Almond Lemon Dessert Wheat/Gluten-Free Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes about 12
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden, 5-8 minutes; let cool.
- Pulse almonds, lemon zest, and 1/4 cup powdered sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Whisk egg white and salt in a large bowl to medium peaks. Whisking constantly, gradually add 1/4 cup powdered sugar; whisk until egg white is very stiff but not dry. Fold in almond mixture and vanilla. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet; using wet hands, flatten tops and press sides to make rounded diamond shapes. Chill 30 minutes.
- Bake ricciarelli until edges are lightly golden and firm and centers are still a little soft, 10-12 minutes; let cool on baking sheet. Dust with powdered sugar.
RICCIARELLI
A cousin to the ubiquitous amaretti cookie, ricciarelli were invented in Tuscany in the 14th century, and are served to this day at Christmastime. Chewy and crunchy, these flourless almond cookies keep for weeks in a sealed container, making them ideal for baking ahead.
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 1h10m
Yield 2 1/2 dozen cookies
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F, and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Add the almonds, baking soda, salt and 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar to a food processor. Process until finely ground, about 1 minute.
- Whisk together the honey, vanilla and egg. Add to the almond mixture and pulse until a stiff dough forms.
- Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls, and coat in the remaining cup confectioners' sugar. Place at least 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake, rotating halfway through, until cracked and solid to the touch, 18 to 20 minutes. Slide the parchment off the baking sheets and allow the ricciarelli to cool completely before peeling off the paper. Store cookies in a tin or airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the final product, so be sure to use the best you can find.
- Follow the recipe carefully: Ricciarelli are a delicate cookie, so it's important to follow the recipe carefully. If you don't, you may end up with cookies that are too dry, too soft, or too crumbly.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough will make the cookies tough. Mix just until the ingredients are well combined.
- Chill the dough before baking: Chilling the dough will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
- Bake the cookies at a low temperature: Ricciarelli are a delicate cookie, so it's important to bake them at a low temperature. This will help them cook evenly without burning.
Conclusion:
Ricciarelli are a delicious and delicate Italian cookie that are perfect for any occasion. They're easy to make, but they do require a little bit of time and patience. If you follow the tips above, you'll be sure to end up with perfect ricciarelli that everyone will love.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#time-to-make #course #cuisine #preparation #desserts #european #cookies-and-brownies #biscotti #4-hours-or-less
You'll also love