Cantucci Almond Cookies
These twice-baked, biscotti-style Cantucci Almond Cookies are native to Tuscany and excellent with post meal coffee or dessert wine. They have only 3 grams of fat per cookie, because, like amandines, they are made without butter or oil. — AARP
Ingredients
- Butter for baking sheet
- 3 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1-1/3 cups toasted and chopped natural almonds
- ¾ cup Splenda Sugar Blend (or granulated sugar)
- 2 tsp baking powder (low sodium)
- Finely grated zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a large baking sheet.
- Whisk the eggs and yolks together in a bowl. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the mixture to a small bowl and set aside.
- Combine the flour, almonds, sugar, baking powder, and orange zest in a large bowl and stir together.
- Make a well in the center, add the beaten egg mixture, and stir to form a stiff dough. Gather the dough into a ball, then cut in half.
- On a lightly floured surface, shape each portion into a log about 2in (5cm) wide and 1in (2.5cm) tall. Place the logs well apart on the baking sheet. Flatten them slightly and brush the tops with some of the reserved egg mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until logs are lightly browned and feel set when pressed in the center. Remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Cool the logs for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board.
- With a serrated knife held on a slight diagonal, cut into 1/2 inch (1cm) pieces. Return the slices to the baking sheet, flat sides down, and continue baking for 8 minutes more, or until crisp and golden.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.