I don't know if you give culinary gifts like I do, but I find it very practical. I have a very good cookie recipe: "Excuse me, I'm really sorry" (usually, the taste of butter makes the bitterness go away and people never stay angry for long!).
For these almond cookies, it was a simple "Thank you for helping me out" (well, actually, more like "Thank you for trying", but whatever...). Packaged in a pretty jar with a little label (from HEMA), they're a real eye-catcher!
As for the recipe itself, I borrowed it from the blog C'est Maman qui l'a fait, which is always a mine of good ideas. Nothing too complicated, just beat the eggs until stiff and add the dry ingredients. The only thing to watch out for is the cooking.
As with the macaroons, the cookies are done when they're golden brown and come away from the baking sheet (I'm still having a bit of trouble mastering my oven and mine were a little under-baked, some with the bottoms stuck to the sheet).
On the face of it, they were appreciated (at least by me, I was delighted with the half I got!).
Do you have any special "gift" recipes?
Almond cookies
- 2 egg whites
- 225 g powdered sugar
- 300 g white almond powder
- zest of one lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract ((optional, I don't use it))
- 4 tablespoons flaked almonds
- powdered sugar for dusting
- Beat the egg whites until stiff and add the sugar (I omitted the pinch of salt, which is useless).
- Add almond powder, zest and vanilla extract. Mix gently with a spatula.
- When the dough is smooth, roll it into small balls (wet your hands if necessary) and flatten slightly.
- Sprinkle with slivered almonds and bake for approx. 15 minutes at 150°C. Wait until cooled before removing from the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Adapted from Christmas Cooking With Kids on the C'est Maman qui l'a fait blog
