Quaresimale

Good Lord, has it really been a YEAR since I posted a recipe? Well, here you go. Time flies, etc. This was given to me by one of Mom’s Italian friends. We went to her house one day during the holidays, and she had a zillion Christmas cookies (she and her hubs started baking in September!) and this was one of them. They are so good. Just make them!

Quaresimale

1 pound unblanched natural almonds

1 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking powder

3 tbs. butter, unsalted

2 large eggs, beaten slightly

1 egg plus 2 tbs. milk for egg wash

Put almonds in a shallow pan and place in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.  Let cool and then divide them in half.

In blender, grind 1/4 of the almonds and 1/4 cup sugar and transfer to bowl. Stir in flour, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. Add butter, stir to combine. Coarsely chop remaining almonds and add this as well as the eggs.  Knead dough in bowl until combined and then divide in half. Flour hands and form each piece into a 15 x 4 inch rectangle. Transfer to a buttered and floured baking sheet, placing them 4 inches apart. Brush with egg wash and bake for 25 minutes. Keep the oven on. Cool one hour and then slice into 3/4 inch pieces.  Turn the oven off at this point. Put them back in the oven and let them stand in oven with gas turned off for 15 minutes.