Almond Cookies from Benevento / Biscotti Mandorle

MAKES 5 DOZEN

This recipe was given to Rosetta Genzale, the Head Chef at the Filberti Restaurant in Benevento, by her grandmother from Avelino. This cookie is a good keeper, but only if you hide them well!

Ingredients

  • 4 cups King Arthur™ Unbleached, All-Purpose Flour
  • 3 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon  baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • None
  • 1 3/4 cups almonds, toasted and finely chopped
  • 1 Zest oflemon
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 ounces (stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • INGREDIENTS

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter and flour 2 large cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
  2. You can make this dough in a fontana, just as you would make pasta dough, or mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the zest, eggs, vanilla and butter and mix until you have a dough which you can knead into a ball that holds together well. Divide the dough into 8 pieces.
  3. Roll each piece under the palms of your hand until a 12-inch rope is formed. Carefully place the ropes on the cookie sheets and bake for about 20 minutes. The rolls should be firm to the touch, but not so hard that slicing them will be difficult.
  4. As soon as the ropes come out of the oven, use a sharp or serrated knife to cut diagonal cookies about 3/4 of an inch wide. Spread the individual cookies on the cookie sheet and bake them for 5 additional minutes.
  5. Cool the cookies on wire racks and store in layers separated by wax paper or plastic wrap in a tightly sealed tin.

This recipe was featured on Season 15 - Episode 1521.

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Comments

Mary

My grandmother is from Pietraroja. I made these around Easter to try and they were SOOOOO delicious and hard to stop at one!! They are a hard cookie so I would definately recommend a good cup of coffee! Will definately make them again soon!!

peter cork

The recipe above for “Almond Cookies from Benevento” says to use “5 teaspoons baking powder.” It should be 1 tsp. according to the video.

Gina Padula

It looks like the amount of baking powder may be 1 tablespoon. I appreciate you sharing this very special & healthy recipe. Thank you so much.

Steve

Is the sugar amount correct? I made two batches of this recipe. I ate one cookie. I love my sweets and candy but these are overly sweet

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